WASHINGTON — As they begin planning for future campaigns, Americans for Prosperity is considering getting involved in Republican nominating contests.
In a wide-ranging interview at The Daily Caller’s newsroom in Washington, Tim Phillips, the conservative grassroots organization’s president, admitted that the pro-free market group will consider picking favorites in certain primary contests in 2014 and 2016.
In the past, they have not gotten involved in GOP primaries, though they’ve spent millions on issue advocacy, for example.
“Everything is on the table for us in ‘14 and ’16,” he said. “We are looking at it.”
He said they would consider doing express advocacy in nominating contests for congressional and senate races in 2014 and might even play in the presidential nominating contest in 2016.
But conservative candidates wanting the organization’s support should not start calling Phillips yet.
“I prefer not to do it,” he said, explaining that not doing express advocacy lets the organization be “one step moved from the political process,” which can be helpful.
As for the organization’s willingness to change if necessary, Phillips said: “I’m not speaking of issues, I’m speaking of the tactical approach you take and the strategic approach you take.”