A PAC called MN Forward raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few weeks. MN Forward is using that money to run ads in support of Emmer, a Republican [candidate for MN governor]. Target, long headquartered in Minneapolis, was one of the four corporate patrons of MN Forward. They forked over $100,000 cash and another $50,000 of in-kind goods and services. It’s an odd move for a corporation that expresses support for gay rights.
Target’s support for MN Forward and Emmer is surprising. Emmer’s a candidate who isn’t just indifferent about gay rights; he’s outright hostile. Despite claiming to be for freedom and personal liberty, Emmer’s name appears on the author line of constitutional legislature “protecting” traditional marriage. Target says its support is for candidates who will “directly effect the company’s retail agenda.” And that’s likely true. But Target’s backing of a pro-corporation candidate (who might not even win) for short term tax-break profit in exchange for permanently undoing a reputation its worked hard to nurture—well, that’s not a good idea. Activists are already upset.
Target is giving every American, nearly literally, a vote with his or her dollar. So, self-respecting progressive Americans who profess to support the gay community, it’s put up or shut-up time; here is your chance to go beyond complaining about the Citizens United ruling and actually act to define what a strict “business interest” is. Citizens United is counting on you doing nothing.
(Target CEO: Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com; Target PR Head of Community Giving: kristenj@imrecommunications.com)
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