Sorry About That Donation: Target CEO

Gregg Steinhafel apologizes, but doesn't renounce donation
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 6, 2010 8:01 AM CDT
Sorry About That Donation: Target CEO
Laura Hedlund and Sue Skog protest in front of a Target store after Target donated money to a PAC that is supporting the Republican candidate in the governor’s race in Bloomington, Minn.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

Responding to the boycott of his company, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel apologized to employees for donating to political group MN Forward, which supports right-wing politician Tom Emmer. The intent “was to support economic growth and job creation,” he wrote, but the “decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate”—because of Emmer’s anti-gay-marriage stance—“and for that I am genuinely sorry.”

Steinhafel insisted Target, which has been known to promote LGBT issues, remains “fully committed to fostering an environment that supports and respects the rights and beliefs of all individuals,” and promised to do a review of Target’s “decision-making process for financial contributions in the public policy arena.” Still, the letter “isn’t exactly an about-face,” writes Max Read on Gawker. “It's also a signal, basically, that Target doesn't have any real plans to donate to pro-gay marriage candidates, or renounce their PAC's support of Emmer.”
(More Target stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X