Will your next home purchase support the extremist right-wing movement in the Northwest? A shocking look at the dark side of Conner Homes



Here in the Northwest, we are leading the nation in protecting the environment, honoring the rights of women, and supporting working families. These are the values of Washingtonians and Oregonians and the values that we expect from our business community. That’s why it’s shocking to learn that Conner Homes, a residential housing developer based in Bellevue, WA is trying to undermine all of our hard work.

How is it happening? Charlie Conner, the sole owner and president of Conner Homes, is a long-term board member of the Freedom Foundation, a right-wing extremist group funded by the Koch Brothers. Charlie is not merely a supporter of the Freedom Foundation, his family name sits proudly on the front door of the Freedom Foundation’s office, with the ironic moniker: “Conner Freedom Center.”

The Freedom Foundation poses as a non-partisan think tank, but in reality, they are members of a national network of ultra-conservative millionaires and billionaires including the Koch brothers. They support policies that gut workplace safety, strip environmental laws, and eliminate taxes on the wealthy….anything in the way of their benefactors’ profit margins. They also work closely with white supremacist organizations and groups that seek to undermine LGBTQ rights.

Does this sound like someone you would want to buy a house from? Like wolves in sheep’s clothing, both the Freedom Foundation and Conner Homes look friendly enough on the outside. Conner Homes claims their houses make “EarthSense” and that their company is giving back to the community, but the dark truth can be seen in how Charlie’s friends at the Freedom Foundation spend their time.

Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation trying to attack working families

The Freedom Foundation has repeatedly opposed increases in the minimum wage, paid sick leave for all, and fair scheduling. They have attacked striking educators, and one staffer even said that a $15 minimum wage is “an idea so stupid only liberals can believe it.”

Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation against the environment

The Freedom Foundation filed a lawsuit to block policies that would combat climate change and protect the environment.

Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation against women’s rights

The Freedom Foundation’s staff consistently attacks Planned Parenthood, an organization that is dedicated to providing women’s health services, calling them a “radical social organization”

Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation attacking LGBTQ rights

The Freedom Foundation shares a funder with anti-LGBTQ hate groups and a group that practiced gay conversion therapy. Their staff argued against the Supreme Court decision to legalize marriage equality.

Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation tolerating bigoted staff

A key Freedom Foundation staffer regularly posted racist and misogynistic content, including jokes about battered women’s shelters, and called for the deportation of all Muslims. Another staffer compared the emotions of putting down a family dog to what slave owners felt when slaves died, saying: “We all know there were good and bad slave owners, just like there are good and bad dog owners.”

While the Freedom Foundation attempts their assault across Washington and Oregon on working families, the environment, and equal rights, Conner Homes has three luxury developments launching soon in Kirkland, Bothell, and West Seattle. Over the course of the next few months, the Northwest Accountability Project will work to educate home-buyers, real estate agents, and community organizations. We believe they have a right to know who is behind Conner Homes and where their money may go.

It’s time for wealthy local businessmen like Charlie Conner to stop taking our money while guiding right-wing extremist organizations. Unsuspecting home shoppers need to know the true damage Charlie Conner and the Freedom Foundation are doing to our community. It’s time to #cleanupconnerhomes!