Topeka, Kan. — Consumers’ Research, the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, today announced it is presenting Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach with its prestigious Consumers’ Champion Award for his years of leadership in defending competitive markets, protecting consumers from coordinated efforts to restrict domestic energy production, and investigating Chinese meddling in the U.S. economy.
“Attorney General Kobach is a true fighter that consumers can depend on to defend them in battle against woke capitalism. For too long, ideological activists such as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink have unfairly harmed millions of Americans’ pocketbooks while attacking their values,” said Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research.
In his tenure as top prosecutor for the State of Kansas, Attorney General Kobach has been a strong voice in defense of consumers against the dangerous and discriminatory woke agenda, and he consistently backs up his words with strong actions. Last November, he joined a lawsuit against BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, major financial firms notorious for advancing harmful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies that drive up energy costs for Americans. The antitrust lawsuit argued that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and other asset managers wielded their influence to artificially depress the supply of coal, making the price of coal increase, leading to higher energy bills for consumers. Kobach, along with 10 other state attorneys general, held BlackRock accountable for not only violating antitrust laws but also actively deceived investors about its funds to advance a radical climate agenda.
Consumers’ Research believes that financial institutions must always be faithful to their fiduciary responsibilities to maximize investor return and never use their resources to push a political agenda. Attorney General Kobach’s investigation into Wells Fargo’s membership in the Net-Zero Banking Alliance and use of ESG policies led the company to abandon those practices, a major victory for investors which Consumers’ Research proudly applauds.
Attorney General Kobach also fights to protect Kansans, and all Americans, from the nefarious influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), particularly China’s influence via its “environmental lawfare” tactics used to restrict American energy production. In July, he formally asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the CCP’s role in lawsuits which increase our reliance on expensive and unreliable “green energy” that makes the U.S. more dependent on foreign countries, like China, for our country’s energy needs.
“It is an honor to receive this award in recognition of my work on behalf of the people of Kansas,” said Attorney General Kobach. “Consumers deserve protection against corporate bullies who too often use their vast power and resources to push a woke political agenda instead of putting the interests of consumers first. In this fight, I am proud to count Consumers’ Research as an ally. I look forward to the day when our efforts are no longer necessary, but until then, I will continue to stand up against every woke power broker that threatens Kansas families.”
Previous recipients of the Consumers’ Champion Award include: Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes, Arkansas State Representative Mindy McAlindon, and Oklahoma State Representative Mark Lepak.
“A shield-shaped award is especially appropriate for recipients like Attorney General Kobach, who is a true warrior advocating fearlessly for consumer rights and protections,” added Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild. “Attorney General Kobach repeatedly leads the charge against the woke corporate giants that prioritize political ideology over consumer interests. Consumers’ Research is proud to recognize his achievements, and we look forward to partnering with him for years to come.”
About Consumers’ Research
Founded in 1929, Consumers’ Research is an independent educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its near-century old-mission is to increase the knowledge and understanding of issues, policies, products, and services of concern to consumers and to promote the freedom to act on that knowledge and understanding. Consumers’ Research frequently comments on the effects that laws, regulations, and government programs have on consumers. For more information visit: http://consumersresearch.org.