Retired pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson is getting support from Texas energy investor and generous GOP donor T. Boone Pickens, who reportedly shares the surging presidential candidate's views on energy policy and will be having an influence on his proposals on the issue.
The Hill reports the mutual admiration began after a meeting in Pickens' Dallas office in September 2014. Carson's campaign – the candidate is now a
solid No. 2 at 19 percent in an average of national polls behind Donald Trump's 23 percent is "still formulating [its] energy plan and speaking to different energy experts,” spokesman Doug Watts tells The Hill.
“We will be releasing more details in the future, but we are grateful that distinguished individuals like Mr. Pickens are willing to share their time and advice with us,” Watts said, adding in an email to The Hill that Carson respects Pickens for bringing "more sensibility to America's energy policy.”
The pair hit it off right from the start, Watts said, asserting Carson "likes Mr. Pickens’ creative, positive and innovative thinking on energy, and other American issues.”
“Much like Mr. Pickens, Dr. Carson believes in unleashing the energy potential that resides within this country,” Watts tells The Hill. “As such, we are in favor of an energy policy that, among other things, promotes fracking and repeals the oil export ban."
Pickens has already given $100,000 to the s
uper-PAC supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and during the 2012 presidential campaign, handed over $1 million to the American Crossroads super-PAC, founded by Karl Rove, The Hill reports.
"We haven’t received any donation from Mr. Pickens as yet," Watts said. "I’ll remind you that we are relying on 675,000 donations from 325,000 donors. We welcome major donors, but we are not relying on them."
NBC News first reported the wealthy investor is putting money behind outsiders Carson and candidate Carly Fiorina.
Pickens “believes Dr. Carson understands the threat that our continued dependence on OPEC oil means for our country going forward," his spokesman, Jay Rosser tells The Hill, adding: “Boone at this point is publicly committed to Jeb Bush. He has provided some financial support for Carly’s election efforts, and has committed to give some financial support to Dr. Carson, to what level I can’t say.”
The amount, he adds, is "still kind of in the air.”
Pickens, who is chairman of the energy investment firm BP Capital, touts
his own plan as “blueprint to reduce [the United States’] dependence on OPEC oil.”
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