WASHINGTON — Billionaire industrialist Charles Koch said Wednesday he's unlikely to back a candidate in the crowded Republican presidential primary, the latest sign that one of the most influential figures in conservative politics seems less than enthusiastic about his choices.

"I have no plans to support anybody in the primary now," Koch told USA TODAY during a wide-ranging interview that touched on politics, his management theories and what he views as increasing threats to free speech at universities.

Asked what he wants to hear from Republican contenders vying for his support, Koch said, "It's not only what they say.

"If they start saying things we think are beneficial overall and will change the trajectory of the country, then that would be good, but we have to believe also they'll follow through on it, and by and large, candidates don't do that."

Koch  acknowledged that the vast policy and political network he helps oversee with his New York-based brother, David, might exceed his fundraising expectations before the presidential and congressional elections.

In recent weeks, the Kansas-based executive has downplayed what his organization might spend before the end of 2016, saying his network of about 450 donors might raise $750 million, down from an earlier estimate of $889 million over two years.

Wednesday, he said it's "possible" that the network could hit its original target and says the network's fundraising team disagrees with his lower assessment. "They say, 'We still think we can do that,' " he said of the fundraisers. "We've had a debate on that."

He said he lowered the estimate because he's generally a skeptical person. Koch has consistently said that only a share of the total two-year budget — $250 million if the network raises less money or roughly $300 million if it collects more — would go to electoral politics at the federal and state levels.

He said he's likely to help a Republican presidential candidate in the general election.

In April, Koch told USA TODAY that his political network could enter the Republican primary for the first time and was weighing supporting one or more contenders from a list of five candidates — former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.