Target kept on giving to anti-gay politicians after Emmer fiasco

Categories: GLBT

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​The dust has settled in the wake of the 2010 elections, and the hot white glare on Target's controversial support for anti-gay Republican Tom Emmer's gubernatorial campaign has faded.

But FEC records show that the Target political action committee kept up its donations to anti-gay candidates after that embarrassing episode, including in Minnesota.

The money kept flowing even after CEO Gregg Steinhafel offered a public mea culpa on Aug. 5 for offending employees and customers upset by the company's apparent two-faced posture when it comes to GLBT issues.

In case you missed our report in August, Here's part of what Steinhafel said:

The intent of our political contribution to MN Forward [the group supporting Emmer] was to support economic growth and job creation. While I firmly believe that a business climate conducive to growth is critical to our future, I realize our decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate, and for that I am genuinely sorry.

And he must have smiled when a Dec. 4 Star Tribune story gave him room to say this:

The worst one could say about this incident is that Steinhafel may have been naive. But he admitted his mistake and reaffirmed the company's long-standing support for gay rights. As he told me, "Target has the most gay-friendly policies in this state."

But post-apology, the Target PAC kept donating to anti-gay congressional candidates across the country including Reps. Spencer Bachus of Alabama, David Camp of Michigan, Dave Reichert of Washington and David Dreier of California. And also to Sen. Michael Crapo of Idaho and Sen.-elect Rob Portman of Ohio.

After news about its donations started making headlines again after a report in The Awl, the company released a statement saying that it "works with policy makers on both sides of the aisle."

What about the Minnesota congressional delegation?

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