Grassroots conservatives in Missouri know the fight isn’t just against Democrats. It’s also against an entrenched wing of the Republican Party that protects corporate donors, preaches “free markets” while rigging the system, and tries to smother real populist reform.
That wing has a name in Missouri: Americans for Prosperity–Missouri (AFP-MO).
AFP-MO is the Mitch McConnell/Paul Ryan wing dressed up as “grassroots.” It claims to represent the people, but functions as a billionaire-funded operation designed to decide which Republicans are acceptable, tilt primaries, and steer the party toward an establishment-friendly agenda.
Astroturf, Not Grassroots
Founded in 2004 as part of the Koch political empire, AFP operates as a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” nonprofit. That status allows it to hide its donors while flooding state politics with cash, endorsements, and an army of canvassers.
In Missouri, AFP is led by figures like Johnnie Calloway (Kansas City) and Duane Lester (Springfield). They market themselves as grassroots leaders, but their real role is to implement the national strategy inside Missouri’s borders.
On social media, AFP-MO pushes daily content about “school choice,” “economic freedom,” and “lower taxes.” But behind the hashtags is a carefully manufactured network funded by corporate donors. Populists call this what it is: astroturf.
The Billionaire Money Pipeline
AFP’s lifeblood is dark money. The group does not disclose its donors, but IRS filings and investigative work show:
- Koch Industries and Koch-linked foundations like Claude R. Lambe funneled millions to AFP from 2005–2013.
- Freedom Partners, another Koch network hub, was a central funder.
- State Farm contributed $275,000; Johnson & Johnson $50,000; and the American Petroleum Institute backed AFP between 2010–2012.
The group’s super PAC, AFP Action, is even more staggering:
- Raised $78 million in the 2021–2022 cycle.
- Took $40 million from Koch Industries alone.
- Received $43 million from Stand Together in 2023–2024.
- Spent $8.2 million in Missouri’s 2022 races.
Investigations have accused AFP of misleading voters in mailers and ad campaigns—proof of how far the machine will go to push its chosen candidates.
“An economy that works for a small group of billionaires and then everybody else gets their information taken from them and monetized.” — Sen. Josh Hawley
Policy Agenda: Corporate First, Communities Last
AFP-MO’s talking points are designed to sound like liberty, but the policies consistently favor donors and corporations over ordinary Missourians:
- Eliminating the State Income Tax: Marketed as tax relief, but in reality it shifts the burden to sales taxes and fees that hit working families the hardest.
- School Privatization: Programs like MOScholars and House Bill 12 celebrate draining public dollars into private and charter schools, leaving rural districts to struggle.
- Deregulation: AFP championed the Missouri REINS Act to strip regulators of oversight—music to corporate ears, dangerous for workers and consumers.
- Union-Busting: AFP has long opposed collective bargaining and minimum wage increases, weakening Missouri workers’ ability to negotiate while boosting corporate profits.
“I did not make this list… because I do not support… crony capitalism. Btw, none of these policies are ‘pro-business’ or Republican.” — Former State Sen. Bill Eigel
Picking Winners: AFP-MO’s 2024 Endorsements
AFP-MO doesn’t just lobby—it intervenes directly in elections, deciding which Republicans deserve its field army. In 2024, it rolled out endorsements in waves:
- July 2024 endorsements: Rep. Tony Lovasco (HD-64), John Simmons (HD-109), Rep. Lisa Thomas (HD-123), and Doug Richey (SD-21).
- August 2024 endorsements: Mike Jones (HD-12), Rep. Phil Oehlerking (HD-100), Jim Robinette (HD-136).
In November 2024, AFP-MO celebrated victories for David Gregory (SD-15), Phil Oehlerking (HD-100), and Mike Jones (HD-12)—crediting “months of canvassing” and over 30,000 voter contacts.
“Grassroots engagement proved to be the key factor in these competitive races.” — AFP-MO
National Ties: The Nikki Haley Example
AFP-MO’s parent organization revealed its true alignment in 2023 when AFP Action endorsed Nikki Haley in the GOP presidential primary, pouring tens of millions into ads, mailers, and canvassing to stop Donald Trump.
“AFP Action is launching an initial $27 million mail, digital, and grassroots campaign [for Nikki Haley].”
When Haley’s campaign collapsed, AFP cut its losses and shifted resources to congressional and state races. This was never about grassroots will—it was about establishment control.
The same network that tried to block Trump nationally is the one endorsing Republicans in Missouri’s House and Senate races.
Controversies and Criticism From Within the Right
AFP-MO loves to talk about fighting “crony capitalism.” Yet its donors benefit from subsidies, government contracts, and regulatory loopholes—all while funding the very group that rails against them.
“The populist-nationalist case for them was that they were meant to encourage companies to pay workers better and to bring back American jobs… The question is, have they done that? Not really.” — Sen. Josh Hawley
“The MO GOP is experiencing a war of ideas amongst itself… Repubs must ask themselves if we will fight for our principles or cede the field.” — Former State Sen. Bill Eigel
“What it looked like… when the Empire…er, the GOP establishment…realized they could not whip enough votes.” — Bill Eigel
Why Populists Must Push Back
AFP-MO is not grassroots. It is a dark money machine, a corporate-funded operation posing as conservatism. It talks freedom but delivers cronyism. It celebrates liberty while advancing an establishment agenda straight from the McConnell/Ryan playbook.
For Missouri populists, the path forward is clear:
- Expose dark money: Call out AFP-MO’s billionaire funding.
- Reject establishment slates: Don’t let AFP-MO decide your primaries.
- Support real grassroots: Back candidates who refuse Koch money.
- Reclaim conservatism: Build a Missouri movement focused on workers, families, farms, and communities—not multinational corporations.
Missouri’s Choice
AFP-MO is working tirelessly to reshape Missouri conservatism into a top-down, corporate-friendly brand. But populists still have the numbers, the voice, and the ability to take the movement back.
The fight is not just against Democrats. It’s against the McConnell/Ryan wing inside our own ranks—funded by billionaires, hiding behind “grassroots” labels, and undermining the very people they claim to represent.
Missouri doesn’t belong to AFP’s donors. It belongs to Missourians. And it’s time to reclaim our politics.
