As Trump nomination threatens 'Democrat sweep' — GOP megadonors turn to Senate races

As Nikki Haley works to surpass Donald Trump in South Carolina, the billionaire anti-Trump Koch Brothers' Americans For Prosperity Action superPAC plans to "'redouble' its efforts to back Senate candidates" if the former president secures the GOP nomination, according to a Sunday, January 28 Axios report.

"If Trump is ultimately the nominee ... the threat of a Democrat sweep increases dramatically, making the Senate and House strategies that much more important," AFP Action spokesperson Bill Riggs told Axios.

The news outlet notes, "Democrats are widely seen as having a good chance to win control of the House from Republicans," but "A Republican gain of just one seat would hand the GOP a majority in the Senate."

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AFP, according to the report, "already is door knocking, recruiting volunteers and spending on mail and digital ads for those Senate contenders — and it's preparing to endorse GOP candidates in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio."

Additionally, group has endorsed three GOP Senate candidates in in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Montana, and Axios reports, "They have the blessing of Rep Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee who has vowed to weed out fringe GOP candidates."

"This is still an uphill battle," AFP Action senior adviser Emily Seidel said after Haley lost to Trump in New Hampshire. "Now all eyes turn to South Carolina, where she has a steeper road ahead."

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Axios' full report is here.