AT&T’s employee PAC announced Friday it will no longer make future contributions to Rep. Steve King
Steven (Steve) Arnold KingGOP lawmakers say Steve King's loss could help them in November The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on the cusp of formally grasping the Democratic nomination The Hill's 12:30 Report: Sights and sounds from the protests MORE (R-Iowa) as the eight-term congressman faces intense scrutiny over his support for white nationalist politicians and groups.
“In addition to our prior statement, we want to let you know that the AT&T employees who manage the disbursements of our employee PAC have now had the opportunity to review the controversy regarding Rep. Steve King, and have determined that the PAC will not make future... ...contributions to him. The committee concluded that further support of Rep. King would not be consistent with one of our core values …‘Stand for Equality,’” the communications company tweeted Friday.
In addition to our prior statement, we want to let you know that the AT&T employees who manage the disbursements of our employee PAC have now had the opportunity to review the controversy regarding Rep. Steve King, and have determined that the PAC will not make future...
— AT&T Public Policy (@ATTPublicPolicy) November 2, 2018
...contributions to him. The committee concluded that further support of Rep. King would not be consistent with one of our core values …”Stand for Equality.”
— AT&T Public Policy (@ATTPublicPolicy) November 2, 2018
King has been on the receiving end of an avalanche of criticism over his endorsement of a white nationalist candidate in Canada and his ties to the far-right Austria Freedom Party, which has historical ties to the Nazi party.
King’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Rep. Steve Stivers
Steven (Steve) Ernst StiversGOP lawmakers say Steve King's loss could help them in November Longtime GOP Rep. Steve King defeated in Iowa primary Five things to watch in Tuesday's primaries MORE (R-Ohio), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, blasted King’s comments and actions, tweeting, “Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate. We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.”
Congressman Steve King’s recent comments, actions, and retweets are completely inappropriate. We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms, and I strongly condemn this behavior.
— Steve Stivers (@RepSteveStivers) October 30, 2018
A number of companies, including tech giant Intel Corp. and dairy company Land O'Lakes, announced in recent days that they will no longer contribute to King's campaign.
The controversy appears to be having an impact on his once safe reelection campaign, with a poll released Tuesday showing him ahead of his Democratic opponent by just 1 point. The Cook Political Report also shifted the race from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican” in a district President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump reschedules Tulsa rally after criticism of overlap with Juneteenth New York Times endorses Engel primary challenger Trump campaign manager says 300,000 tickets registered for upcoming rally MORE won by 27 points in 2016.
King’s opponent, Democrat J.D. Scholten, also enjoyed a fundraising spike this week after anger with King boiled over.
AT&T’s announcement comes after a statement Wednesday saying it would meet and discuss any future contributions to King following the 2018 midterm election cycle.
