David Koch, Jr., the son of late conservative megadonor David Koch Sr., is making headlines for his recent political contributions. Despite being a member of the wealthy Koch family, with an estimated net worth of $144 billion, David Jr. has donated $10,600 to political committees associated with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. This move to support a Democrat, especially Joe Biden’s former Vice President, is unexpected given the family’s reputation as fiscal conservatives and their past support for right-wing causes.
Following the death of David Koch Sr. in 2019, his widow Julia Koch and their three children inherited a sizable stake in the family business, Koch, Inc. The family has largely maintained a low profile, but recently made headlines for a $75 million donation to fund an ambulatory care center and a $700 million investment in BSE Global, which owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. David Koch Jr., in particular, has taken on a role as a minority owner at BSE and is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, such as a $20 million gift to fund a kidney center at Columbia University.
The Koch family has a history of philanthropy, with David Jr. continuing this tradition through his charitable contributions. His family has donated an estimated $1.4 billion to various institutions, while his uncle Charles Koch has given approximately $2.1 billion to causes related to education, poverty alleviation, and criminal justice reform. Despite this legacy, David Jr. appears to be charting his own course in politics with his support for Kamala Harris, deviating from his family’s typical conservative political affiliations.
The Koch Brothers, including David Sr. and Charles, have been known for their conservative political activism through organizations like Americans for Prosperity. However, they notably withheld support for Donald Trump in 2016 and have continued to distance themselves from the former President. Charles Koch has expressed concerns about both parties becoming increasingly authoritarian, leading to a focus on supporting free market conservatives in Congressional and state-level races rather than backing Trump in the 2024 election.
David Koch Jr.’s support for Kamala Harris is a departure from his family’s political leanings, but he is not alone in his unexpected endorsements. Harris has also garnered support from unlikely figures like former Vice President Dick Cheney and the daughters of George W. Bush and Rudy Giuliani. This isn’t the first time David Jr. has made left-leaning political contributions, as evidenced by his donations to Democratic candidates in the past, including Sean Patrick Maloney and the Lincoln Project.
With the 2024 election approaching, the Koch family’s political involvement continues to evolve, with a focus on supporting free market conservatives rather than aligning with Trump. David Koch Jr.’s contributions to Kamala Harris and previous Democratic candidates demonstrate a shift in political preferences that diverges from his family’s traditional conservative stance. As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen how the Koch family’s political influence will shape the outcome.
