The political network largely funded by billionaire Charles Koch announced Sunday that it will no longer spend money to support Nikki Haley's presidential bid.
Former President Donald Trump defeated Haley on Saturday in her home state of South Carolina, where she served as governor.
In an email obtained by NBC News, Americans for Prosperity Action confirmed that after Haley's loss in South Carolina, it no longer believes it can make a meaningful difference in the race for her, according to two sources who are senior advisers. Emily Seidel said. Instead, the group will focus its resources on voting in House and Senate races.
“She has made it clear that she will continue to fight, and we wholeheartedly support her efforts,” Seidel said. “However, given the challenges in the primary states ahead, we do not believe that outside groups can make a substantive difference in broadening her path to victory.”
Politico first reported this decision. An AFP spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
The move is a blow to Haley as she vows to continue standing up to Trump, who beat her by about 20 percentage points on Saturday and captured all but three of her delegates.
AFP provided critical support to Haley on the ground, mobilizing a broad network of political activists to vote for Haley in early states. The group also poured money into advertising to promote her rise. that expenditure More than $31 million has been added to Haley's primary race, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Donors for Americans for Prosperity, part of the political arm of the larger Koch Network, has pressured the group to support Republican primary candidates in the race to find an alternative to Trump.
When the group endorsed Haley last November, Seidel said AFP Action was looking for the best Republican to “turn the page on our current political era.” She said her candidate is her Hailey, and that the group is “better equipped to help her” than any other organization.
Many longtime Koch-world agents questioned the decision but thought it was highly unlikely that she would win the nomination.
Haley's path is now all but closed, and Trump appears to be on track to win his party's presidential nomination.
Haley said Trump will not be able to beat President Joe Biden.
Haley's outspoken campaign on Sunday touted new fundraising numbers to boost the fight ahead.
“AFP is a great organization and ally fighting for liberal and conservative governments. We thank everyone for their incredible help in this race,” Haley’s campaign said. “Our fight continues, and with more than $1 million coming in from grassroots conservatives in the last 24 hours, we have plenty of fuel to keep going.”
“We have a country to save,” Haley’s team added.
Sunday's announcement was a disappointing end to AFP's strategy since it pledged a year ago to reverse the “downward spiral” in American politics by backing an alternative to Trump.
On Sunday, Seidel wrote that AFP knew from the beginning that the route “faced the most difficult conditions” but “could not stand by” given the risks.
“This organization exists to do hard work,” she said.
The enthusiasm felt earlier this year and in New Hampshire seemed to slip as Trump's grip on the race became harder to ignore.
Asked about AFP Action's decision, one source said after the New Hampshire primary: “They already made a commitment to buy TVs on January 8th. And there was hope, a realistic hope, that things would change.”
That concept began to fade when the surge failed to materialize.
“There was an honest, objective belief that her campaign was still surging,” the source said, “especially when Donald Trump reacted in a way that she was doing too well and not falling out.” “That hope did not come true.”