Publix announced Friday that it suspended its political contributions as it faces scrutiny for donating to Adam Putnam, a Florida Republican who is pro-gun rights and is running for governor.
“We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve,’’ Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens said in a statement obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. “As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we reevaluate our giving processes.’’
The supermarket chain’s announcement arrived in the middle of “die-in” protests led by Parkland, Fla., shooting survivor David Hogg at two Publix locations in Florida.
{mosads}Hogg — a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed in a February shooting — is just one of several Parkland shooting survivors who have called for a boycott of the chain.
The grocery chain told CBS News it plans on changing how it handles donations in the future in order to clarify why donations are made.
“We regret that some of our political contributions have led to an unintentional customer divide instead of our desire to support a growing economy in Florida,” a Publix spokesperson said in the statement. “As a result of this situation, we are evaluating our processes to ensure that our giving better reflects our intended desire to support a strong economy and a healthy community.”