'I’m very grateful for the leadership of this organization,' Pence said. Pence 'grateful' for David Koch, AFP

DALLAS — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday night praised David Koch and Americans for Prosperity for their activism in his home state and across the country.

“I’ve met David Koch on several occasions. I’m grateful to have enjoyed his support and the support of many of the people that support Americans for Prosperity across Indiana and across this country,” Pence said in an interview as he headed into a private AFP dinner featuring remarks from Koch and a keynote speech by columnist and pundit George Will.


“I’m very grateful for the leadership of this organization,” Pence said of Americans for Prosperity, which has backed his tax-slashing agenda in Indiana, and which is comprised partly of a foundation arm chaired by Koch. “I’m just honored to be able to come down today and be a part of this gathering and express my real appreciation for what Americans for Prosperity has meant in this country and in Indiana, in particular.”

Thursday’s dinner and a subsequent dessert reception — featuring a Western motif including buffets served on tables made to look like covered wagons — kicked off a two-day Americans for Prosperity summit.

Pence, who is considering a run for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, enjoys wide support in the vast conservative political network fronted by the billionaire industrialist brothers David and Charles Koch. Pence is scheduled to speak about his reforms in Indiana to some of the thousands of AFP activists gathered at the Omni Dallas Hotel in an open-press session Friday morning. His presentation will be followed by speeches over the next day from other potential Republican White House hopefuls, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas.

Thursday evening’s dinner, though, was a more intimate affair for AFP donors, staff and allies, as well as summit VIPs, such as Paul. He declined to comment when POLITICO asked about his foreign policy conversations with David Koch’s brother Charles Koch. Sources say Paul and Charles Koch have bonded over their shared leeriness of foreign intervention.

Likewise, David Koch, who introduced Will at the dinner, declined an interview request as he made his way into the dinner.

“Pardon me, I’ve got to find my seat and meet with the speaker,” Koch said, as a phalanx of security guards and staff escorted him from an elevator into the dinner.

After the dinner, Will begged off a question about his speech, but sources said it featured a mix of the baseball yarns and history-rich political analysis for which he is known.

Pence was more forthcoming, fielding questions about his allies’ roles in the Koch political network and about how his own social conservatism jibes with the more libertarian tendencies of the Kochs and AFP.

“Americans for Prosperity has demonstrated that you can bring together people from all across this movement who will work in concert to advance the principles of fiscal responsibility, pro-growth policies and limited government,” Pence said.

David and Charles Koch gave Pence, a former congressman, $200,000 for his 2012 governor’s race. And, once Pence was in the governor’s office, AFP rallied support for a major income tax cut he proposed.

When Pence was asked about the ascent of his former congressional chief of staff, Marc Short, to lead the Kochs’ political umbrella group Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, Short, standing nearby, interjected.

“You can trash me, it’s OK,” Short jokingly said to his former boss.

But Pence didn’t take the bait, instead praising Short.

“Marc is a friend and we had the opportunity to work together when I was serving in the Congress of the United States, and I have immense respect for his integrity and his judgment.”

Greg Cooper, an AFP donor who sat next to Pence at Thursday’s dinner, said afterward that he was impressed by the governor and would support him for president if he ran.

“He’s done a remarkable job in Indiana,” Cooper said.