Koch Network Won't Back GOP Challenger to Democratic Senator
- Heitkamp is seeking re-election in Trump-won North Dakota
- Group has traditionally backed Republicans over Democrats
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The powerful public policy and political network led by billionaire Charles Koch on Monday broke from its traditional approach of backing Republican candidates by saying it wouldn’t work for the party’s challenger to a potentially vulnerable Democratic senator, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.
The network’s decision not to support Representative Kevin Cramer was cast as a warning to other Republicans who might be tempted to stray from the free-market, fiscally restrained approach backed by Koch and his followers.