Fredreka Schouten

USA TODAY

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has a strong credential as a vice presidential candidate: His deep ties to some of the Republican Party’s biggest donor networks.

Several former Pence staffers have taken on prominent roles with the corporate and political organizations tied to billionaire industrialist Charles Koch and his brother, David.

Marc Short, a former Pence aide, until recently ran the Kochs’ umbrella group, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce. Matt Lloyd, Pence’s deputy chief of staff, was a top communications executive for Koch Industries.

But Pence’s possible addition to the Donald Trump ticket doesn't seem to have swayed Charles Koch, who has sharply criticized Trump’s harsh rhetoric and policies. Koch has opted to focus his federal political activity on helping Republicans retain their Senate majority instead of the presidential race. (In an interview with Fortune this week, Koch said choosing between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton was like picking “cancer or a heart attack.”)

Trump veep speculation turns to Pence; campaign says no pick yet

Asked whether a Pence vice presidential candidacy would alter Koch’s views of Trump's bid, Freedom Partners spokesman James Davis said in an email Thursday: “Our efforts will remain focused on the Senate.”

He later added: "We will not engage in the presidential."

Stanley Hubbard, a Minnesota broadcasting executive and a Koch donor, said Pence is "very well regarded" and "brings credibility to Donald Trump."

Hubbard, who was an early backer of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's short-lived presidential bid, switched his support to Trump in May once the reality TV star effectively locked up the GOP nomination.

He said he wants Trump, not Clinton, to pick federal judges and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's replacement on the high court. Hubbard said he plans to urge the Kochs to help Trump when he and other donors convene in a few weeks for the network's annual summer retreat.

"I'm going to tell them, 'We've got to put ideology aside because it's going to be one or the other — Trump or Clinton — and we've got to pick our best choice,' " he said.