FreedomWorks
| FreedomWorks | |
| Established: | 2004 |
| Contact | |
| Phone: | +1 (202) 783-3870 |
| Address: | 111 K Street NE Suite 600 Washington, DC 20002 |
| Website: | Website |
| Social Media | |
FreedomWorks is a 501(c)(4) political advocacy organization spun off from Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2004. [1] It played a significant role in the Tea Party movement in the aftermath of the Great Recession. [2] [3]
Dick Armey, former Republican Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, was the organization's long-time chairman. Matt Kibbe, a libertarian, was the President. Eventually, the two had an aggressive falling out in 2012 with Armey attempting to oust Kibbe, including the use of firearms to forcibly escort Kibbe out of the building. The conflict eventually ended with Armey leaving the organization with a large financial golden parachute and Kibbe taking control. With Kibbe at the helm apart from Armey, FreedomWorks's messaging became a lot more overtly anti-establishment. [4] [5]
Kibbe left FreedomWorks in 2015 to run a super PAC backing Rand Paul's 2016 campaign for President of the United States. [6] [7]
- ↑ FreedomWorks
- ↑ The Atlantic, "The Tea Party Movement: Who's In Charge?"
- ↑ New York Times, "Shaping Tea Party Passion Into Campaign Force"
- ↑ Washington Post, "FreedomWorks tea party group nearly falls apart in fight between old and new guard"
- ↑ Washington Post, "Armey’s exit from FreedomWorks highlights tea party’s post-election turmoil"
- ↑ Reason, "Matt Kibbe Leaves FreedomWorks to Head up Rand Paul Super PAC"
- ↑ Politico, "FreedomWorks head leaves for Paul PAC amid turmoil"