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 Fiorina's show-stealing performance in a Republican presidential
debate last month, and her subsequent surge in the polls, has
prompted industrialists Charles and David Koch to take a “serious
look” at the former Hewlett-Packard chief executive, according to
three sources close to the brothers.
She has now moved to the short list of candidates the Kochs may
support with their reported $1 billion war chest, the sources said.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio is among those on the coveted list, the
sources said.
A spokesman for the Kochs declined to comment
Other politically powerful mega donors are also lining up.
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens hosted a packed luncheon at a posh
Dallas venue for Fiorina in late September, while venture capitalist
Tom Perkins is planning a fundraising gala in California in the next
few months.
“My money is on her,” said Perkins, who served on HP's board during
Fiorina's tenure. “I think she could be president.”
 As the only woman on stage at the Sept. 16 debate, Fiorina emerged
as the most effective candidate in taking on front-runner Donald
Trump, chastening the celebrity real estate magnate for his
controversial comments about her looks.
“The emails have not stopped" since then, said seasoned California
political fundraising consultant Karolyn Dorsee, who is working on
behalf of several Republican presidential candidates, including
Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. "Everybody wants her,
nationwide, in every single state.”
Even before her rapid rise in the polls - she has vaulted to second
place in the key early voting state of New Hampshire - Fiorina had
already garnered about $2 million in support from the likes of
reclusive hedge fund baron Robert Mercer and former Univision CEO
Jerrold Perenchio.
"SHE'S PRETTY VIABLE"
Fiorina's campaign now appears far less of a long-shot than it did
over the summer, when she was struggling with sparse crowds, scant
name recognition and a coffer of just $5 million that put her at the
bottom of the money race.
Her campaign thus far has been a bare-bones operation, relying on a
young, relatively low-paid, skeletal staff as opposed to the
sprawling operations built by more well-endowed candidates like
Bush.
Support from the Kochs would change her operation overnight.
“We think she’s pretty viable,” said broadcasting billionaire
Stanley Hubbard, a member of the Koch brothers' network of
conservative advocacy groups who donates heavily to political
candidates.
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The Kochs have been keeping a close eye on Fiorina ever since she
announced in May, the Koch sources said. They extended an invite to
her to speak at their exclusive summit of rich donors at an
oceanfront luxury resort in August along with Rubio, Bush, Wisconsin
Governor Scott Walker, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Fiorina, the lowest polling candidate at the gathering, impressed
the big money attendees with her mastery of policy detail and
heavyweight stage presence. "She's good in the room," said one
participant at the event, who declined to be named.
The Fiorina campaign, and the independent fund-raising Super PAC
supporting her, declined comment.
The Kochs, who own America’s second-largest private company, have
backed Fiorina in the past, notably when she ran unsuccessfully
against incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer for her California Senate
seat in 2010.
At the time, the Kochs had helped mount a campaign for Proposition
23, a ballot measure designed to suspend the state law banning
higher carbon emissions that was ultimately defeated. Fiorina also
supported the measure. A Koch Industries PAC helped sponsor a
Washington fundraiser for Fiorina at the time and gave $10,000 to
her campaign.
As Fiorina's money problems fade, some high dollar donors who have
already contributed are now considering doubling down. Dallas
philanthropist Elloine Clark has so far written one $100,000 check
to the Super PAC supporting Fiorina. She says she may give more. “I
think she’s unflappable,” said Clark. “And she doesn’t react like an
adolescent.”
(Reporting By Michelle Conlin; Additional reporting Emily Stephenson
in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Ross Colvin)
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