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Update: After saying it would cease political giving altogether, Publix has resumed such activity, but makes smaller donations than before and balances contributions much more evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
On May 25, 2018, Publix announced it would suspend all political contributions following widespread criticism of the $670,000 in donations the company gave to pro-gun extremist Adam Putnam in his 2018 run for Florida governor. “We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve,’’ Publix promised in that statement.
Six days later, the political arm of Publix, the right-wing trade group Florida Retail Federation (FRF), gave $100,000 to Adam Putnam’s Florida Grown political action committee.
FRF reported taking in a total of $431,291 in donations from its corporate members in 2017, including Walt Disney World Co., SeaWorld and Ron Jon Surf Shop. But Publix donated $350,000 to FRF—81% of the total.
The revelations of Publix’s indirect contribution to Putnam comes just as we learn that the Florida Department of Agriculture, run by “proud NRA sellout” Adam Putnam, stopped querying the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to check the background of concealed carry permit applicants from February 2016 to March 2017. This allowed violent applicants with disqualifying records to get permits and legally walk the streets armed.
NRA-drafted legislation gave the Florida Department of Agriculture the responsiblity to screen concealed carry applicants. This was done purposely to make enforcement of the permitting law less effective (because there is no law enforcement expertise involved). Putnam covered up the completed investigation into the Department of Agriculture’s failures last year, then had the nerve to deny there was a problem.
Please contact Publix through one of the channels below and give them the following message (personalized to your liking):
I can’t believe that you immediately reneged on your agreement with the survivors of the Parkland shooting and the rest of America and gave $100,000 to pro-gun extremist Adam Putnam through your Florida Retail Federation shell company. This IS NOT what corporate responsibility looks like. We will not allow you to lie to our faces then go back to business as usual, particularly not after learning that Putnam’s Department of Agriculture stopped querying the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to check the background of concealed carry permit applicants in Florida from February 2016 to March 2017. You are abetting a threat to the safety of our families and communities here in Florida. If you do not immediately apologize and honor your statement of May 25, 2018, I will dedicate my life to organizing a successful boycott of your stores statewide.
Once you have contacted Publix, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!