GOP Candidates Cozy Up to Big Oil Once Again

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a mediocre showing at the second GOP primary debate, candidates are continuing to woo big-dollar donors from the oil and gas industry. Nikki Haley is attempting to out-MAGA her Republican opponents by seeking the approval—and money—of Big Oil funders like Clarence Thomas benefactor Harlan Crow. 

It’s not just Haley who has accepted big bucks from the oil and gas industry throughout her political career – every Republican candidate is in the pocket of Big Oil. 

• Donald Trump received nearly $15 million from the oil and gas industry in the 2020 election and $1.3 million from the industry in the 2016 election.
• Ron DeSantis has accepted donations from Crow and received more than $120,000 from the oil and gas industry throughout his congressional career and over $1 million throughout his political career.
• Nikki Haley has accepted more than $124,000 from the oil and gas industry over the course of her political career. 
• Mike Pence accepted more than $120,000 from the oil and gas industry during his time as Governor and more than $238,000 from the oil and gas industry during his congressional career. 
• Tim Scott has accepted more than $873,000 from the oil and gas industry over the course of his congressional career. 

The candidates’ energy plans, all of which amount to “drill, baby, drill,” directly reflect the campaign donations they’ve received from the industry. Their attempts to slow the clean energy boom are bad for workers and families but a boon for Big Oil’s bottom line.