Political contributions
Bill Koch’s political contributions don’t follow a straight party line and instead appear to target candidates on a case-by-case basis.
According to Open Secrets, which tracks campaign donations, most of Koch’s campaign donations from himself or through groups tied to Oxbow, are sent to Republicans.
But he’s also contributed to many prominent Democrats. Here’s a list of some of his contributions, both as an individual and through his political action committee, Oxbow Carbon Mineral Holdings, Inc., and party affiliations:
Tom Daschle (D), $2,000 in 2004
Jay Rockefeller (D), $1,000 in 2002
Tom Harkin (D), $1,000 in 2002
Hillary Clinton (D), $1,000 in 1999
Ted Kennedy (D), $1,000 in 1999
Al Gore (D), $1,000 in 1999
John Hickenlooper (D), $1,525 (plus $525 through Oxbow)
Bill Ritter (D), $500
Oxbow also contributed $525 to Hickenlooper’s campaign.
Rep. Scott Tipton (R), $3,500
John Salazar (D), $13,600 (plus $10,000 from Oxbow in 2009)
Mark Udall (D), $4,600 in 2008
Ken Salazar (D), $2,300 in 2008 (but Salazar appears to have returned that money)
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D), $2,500 in 2010
In addition, all three Delta County commissioners, Republicans Douglas Atchley, Olen Lund and Bruce Hovde, have received contributions ranging from $500 to $1,500 from either the Oxbow PAC or Oxbow Mining LLC.
And Walker Stapleton, the state’s treasurer representing the Republican Party, received $1,050 from the Oxbow PAC in 2009.
— Madeleine Osberger
