CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Koch Industries, a giant in the oil and gas industry, typically supports conservative Republican candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is an exception to that rule.
Brothers Charles and David Koch have also given tens of millions of dollars to finance right-wing political organizations, including tea party groups. Last year, "Forbes" magazine ranked the brothers fourth and fifth on its list of the richest Americans.
Since January, the Koch Industries Political Action Committee gave $214,000 to individual Republican candidates and another $45,000 to three national Republican political committees, according to an article by Kathleen Ronayne published Friday on OpenSecrets.org, the website of the Center for Responsive Politics, based in Washington, D.C.
Since January, the Koch Industries' PAC donated just $18,500 to five Democrats in Congress, including four members of the House of Representatives.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201107121103If Joe's a democrat I'm the fucking king of Siam! Joe was the Head of the "Democrats" for Underwood back in the day. He backed/campaigned for, one of the worst republican governors the state of WV has ever had. He was mad because he'd been beaten in the primary at that time, by a lady who was a real democrat. I wouldn't trust Joe in a shit house with a muzzle on. The man is a LIEberman style "Democrat"...said he'd vote for the Right to work law back when he was governor, if that bill was laid on the table in front of him. I hope somebody runs against him for Robert Byrd's old seat and beats him in the primary. He's a true Koch Roach.