The influence of Koch Industries in Vermont
Vermonters should take time to look carefully at the influence of Koch Industries and the Koch-backed political network on our elections and public policy. The connections run through both election spending that benefits Gov. Phil Scott and advocacy that reinforces his policy agenda.
That election support is continuing today. In an Oct. 12 report, Vermont Public documented that A Stronger Vermont, a super PAC bankrolled by the Republican Governors Association, had received $400,000 from the RGA and spent nearly $175,000 on television and online advertisements attacking Scott’s Democratic opponent, Amanda Janoo.
This follows years of support. Vermont Public reports that A Stronger Vermont spent over $2.8 million supporting Scott in 2016, and the RGA spent more than $800,000 helping him win reelection in 2018. During the 2016 campaign, Vermont Public identified Koch Industries as the RGA’s largest contributor at that point in the election cycle. The financial connection is clear: Scott has repeatedly benefited from an organization supported by Koch money.
The policy connections are also clear. Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity praised Scott’s education transformation proposal as a step toward “education freedom.” AFP also applauded his veto of data-center legislation and his health-insurance executive order. These statements show an organized effort to reinforce Scott’s decisions and influence the direction of Vermont policy.
Vermonters need to follow the money and ask questions. Koch-connected funding helps sustain the Republican Governors Association, which has spent millions to elect and reelect Phil Scott. Meanwhile, Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity publicly supports key policies the Scott administration advances.
Vermonters should ask whose interests this combination serves — and whether wealthy national donors have gained an outsized voice in Vermont’s elections and policy decisions.