Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, a billionaire and main Republican marketing campaign donor, gave $5 million to a political motion committee backing former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Donald Trump within the GOP major for president, in accordance to his firm spokesman.
Griffin wrote the seven-figure test in January to the SFA Fund, a super PAC that may elevate and spend an infinite sum of money to assist Haley, however which can’t coordinate straight together with her presidential marketing campaign.
“Governor Haley has an incredible monitor report of management and America can be nicely served by somebody together with her international coverage credentials and coverage priorities within the White House,” Griffin stated in an announcement to CNBC.
“She cares deeply about the way forward for all Americans and has demonstrated efficient management advancing insurance policies that promote lifelong prosperity, upward mobility, and our nation’s security and safety,” stated Griffin.
“While voters determine on who will function the Republican Party’s nominee for President, I’ll proceed my deal with actively supporting U.S. House and Senate candidates prioritizing financial freedom and a powerful protection of America at dwelling and overseas,” he stated.
The announcement got here simply hours after Griffin informed CNBC he “supported” Haley, throughout an interview on the Managed Funds Association convention in Miami. Griffin has an estimated internet price of $37 billion, according to Forbes.
Despite the Haley donation, Griffin additionally praised Trump on Tuesday throughout his dialog with CNBC. “I do know many people, me included, you already know, battle with a few of Trump’s behaviors,” he stated. “But there was a dimension of larger world safety with him as president, notably from U.S. pursuits.”
Griffin’s transfer comes as Haley faces a steep climb to the Republican nomination.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations got here in third within the Iowa caucus, behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Every week later, she got here in second within the New Hampshire major to Trump after DeSantis dropped out.
Haley is presently trailing Trump by almost 30 percentage points in her dwelling state of South Carolina, which is able to maintain the subsequent Republican major on Feb. 24.
Haley isn’t the one Republican candidate for whom Griffin has minimize a giant test this cycle.
He has additionally donated $10 million to a super PAC supporting Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dave McCormick, the previous CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.
A super PAC that’s backing Montana Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy obtained $5 million from Griffin, in accordance to a Citadel spokesman. Sheehy is operating to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. But Sheehy nonetheless faces a possible major problem from GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale.
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