A California-based fast food company is being offered the opportunity to set up shop in Alabama after a California Democrat called for a boycott over the company’s donations to state Republicans.
The iconic chain came in for criticism after a Los Angeles Magazine revealed it appeared to have donated $25,000 to the California GOP on August 28.
Following the news threats of a boycott followed with many native Californians outraged with the state’s Democratic Party chairman Eric Bauman tweeting a message late Wednesday.
But in response, Alabama State Senator Phil Williams invited In-N-Out to move into his less hamburger hostile, red state.
‘Hey #InNOutBurger c’mon to Alabama! We love burgers, and we love #Republicans! #alpolitics,’ Williams tweeted Thursday evening.
In-N-Out currently only has outposts in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Utah.
California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman has called for a boycott of In-N-Out after it was revealed that the fast food chain donated $25,000 to the California GOP on August 28
Bauman Tweeted out the boycott call on Wednesday night, linking to an article about In-N-Out’s reported GOP donation
The California Democratic Party was later forced to clarify that Bauman’s (pictured) boycott call was not an official party policy, but a personal view
Several California Republicans also scurried to show their love In-N-Out on Thursday.
California State Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Republican, posted on Facebook a gleeful picture of himself surrounded by his staff’s large In-N-Out burger and fries lunch order. Meanwhile, GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox tweeted a stern-faced photo of himself standing in front of an In-N-Out, proclaiming, ‘There’s nothing more Californian than In-N-Out Burger.’
After Bauman’s tweet, Alabama State Sen. Phil Williams invited In-N-Out to open up in his state
Williams said that his famously red state loved hamburgers and Republicans alike
California State Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Republican, showed his support for In-N-Out by ordering burgers and fries for his staff the day after Bauman’s boycott tweet
Meanwhile, Bauman’s boycott tweet resulted in In-N-Out, a company with a reputation for espousing strong Christian beliefs, clarifying the fact that it has donated to both political organizations over the years.
Company executive Vice President Arnie Wensinger said in a statement obtained by the Los Angeles Times that In-N-Out had ‘made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican’ political action committees in the state in 2018.
The fast food chain appears to have given at least $80,000 during the current election cycle to Californians for Jobs and a Strong Economy, which aims to elect business-friendly Democrats to the state Legislature.
‘For years, In-N-Out Burger has supported lawmakers who, regardless of political affiliation, promote policies that strengthen California and allow us to continue operating with the values of providing strong pay and great benefits for our associates,’ Wensinger said.
Filings also indicated that the company has made other large donations to both parties in the preceding years as well.
Bauman and the California Democratic Party were also left attempting to clarify their positions on Bauman’s boycott call Thursday.
The California Democratic Party’s communications director John Vigna said that Bauman’s tweet was ‘just his personal view’ and not an official stance taken by the party.
‘We’re not happy that In-N-Out gave the money, but we’re not calling for an official boycott,’ Vigna told the LA Times, noting that Bauman’s boycott call was a sign of how ‘fired up’ Democrats are and that his tweet reflected the sentiments of a lot of people at the moment.