Publix Suspends Political Contributions Amid Uproar

May 26, 2018

Facing protests over its heavy contributions to gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, Publix announced Friday that it was suspending corporate political contributions “as we re-evaluate our giving processes.”

The supermarket giant has been embroiled in controversy after reports that it contributed more than $600,000 to Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign over the past three years.

Putnam, a Republican, has particularly become a target of criticism from gun-control advocates after the February 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County.

“At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues,” the company said in Friday’s statement. “We regret our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers. We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we re-evaluate our giving processes.”

by The News Service of Florida

Comments

15 Responses to “Publix Suspends Political Contributions Amid Uproar”

  1. Rocky Thomas on May 27th, 2018 3:05 pm

    My guess is that Publix wasn’t strong on the fence for Adam Putnam or they wouldn’t be worried about the garbage David Hogg is screaming. Personally I think David Hogg needs to make Hillary grumpy about something, so the rest of us wouldn’t have to be annoyed by him ever again.

  2. joy bryant on May 27th, 2018 7:06 am

    I will NEVER shop there again – it DOES NOT TAKE the taking of guns away to lose our country #45 is already working on doing that —-pitiful that people don’t watch more than one channel and read – ANY CONTRIBUTION FROM A CORPRATE SHOULD BE BANNED!!!

  3. David Huie Green on May 27th, 2018 2:25 am

    REGARDING:
    “I’m sick to death of corporate money corrupting the political process in this country. ”

    To corrupt the political process, it would first have to be uncorrupted.

    How their involvement corrupts him will be interesting to watch. What is their secret goal? A monopoly on grocery selling?

    Usually the righteous indignation is reserved for contributions to causes they oppose. If his sin is support of the Bill of Rights, how dare he?

    If the opposition is to corporations contributing, that should be a matter for their shareholders to deal with unless you believe people should not be allowed to speak in favor of things you oppose. Political parties have the financial support of groups or individuals but people shouldn’t be forced to support an entire party just because they like a single candidate. That’s where the First Amendment kicks in. Money is speech since it allows your words to be heard.

    People have the right to speak in favor of those they favor. To force them to be silent would corrupt the political process.

    David for freedom

  4. EMD on May 27th, 2018 12:15 am

    Thank you Publix for wanting to support someone who does not want the Communists or other totalitarians to take over this country. Gun control is what happens shortly before they do just that. If and when they DO take over, we will only have “government” controlled stores. They will be NOTHING like Publix. It really IS a pleasure to shop there.

  5. Charlie Mike on May 26th, 2018 11:20 pm

    I’m sick to death of corporate money corrupting the political process in this country. If Publix gives Putnam $600,000, does he work for them, or us? You figure it out. It’s definitely not just a Publix problem, or a Republican or Democratic problem. It’s all of them. They should all have to wear the logos of the corporations that have bought and paid for them.

  6. Bob Dandridge on May 26th, 2018 5:52 pm

    Putnam is Pro NRA and NRA is all about firearm safety. I think uninformed children have forced Publix to retreat is all. I still love Publix.

  7. E-driver on May 26th, 2018 3:35 pm

    Publix sucks. They don’t have the courage to stand up to these left wing liberal idiots. I will not spend another dime at a Publix store. Go PUTNAM for governor

  8. Grand pa on May 26th, 2018 1:46 pm

    I will not support any one that’s for changing our wright to own a gun it’s our wright if we so desire .

  9. M in Bratt on May 26th, 2018 12:37 pm

    “I won’t be shopping at Publix because I support Adam Putnam”. Did you not read the part that they ALREADY contributed $600,000 thousand dollars to Putnam. That looks like they put their money where their mouth is to me. Thanks Publix for supporting Adam.

  10. David Huie Green on May 26th, 2018 12:16 pm

    REGARDING:
    “You need to Let Publix know how you feel”

    Okay, okay. If you insist, I’ll go buy something at Publix since I agree with them.

    David for even better governors
    and American freedom

  11. Carrie Grim on May 26th, 2018 11:16 am

    Corporations shouldn’t be sponsoring political candidates to begun with. That money should be donated to non profits that help the communities publix is so so concerned with not disappointing.

  12. Gene on May 26th, 2018 10:13 am

    You need to Let Publix know how you feel not just on this forum…. Email them so they hear from the other side of the issue!!!

  13. Grandma on May 26th, 2018 9:46 am

    Well, I support Adam Putnam as a fresh voice of reason and conservation. So, I won’t be shopping Publix.

  14. A Alex on May 26th, 2018 8:48 am

    I will never go into another Public. To bow to corporate blackmail shows GREAT weakness and to deprive candidates contributions is WRONG AS AS CORPORATE

  15. Alan on May 26th, 2018 8:38 am

    What a stupid move by Publix to cave to this.