The flier first caught the eye of Santa Fe activist Sloan Cunningham as she perused a local bulletin board. It announces a 5-6 pm, Oct. 13 candidate reception for Republicans John Sanchez and Dianna Duran—candidates for lt. gov. and secretary of state, respectively—in Sunflower Market’s DeVargas Center parking lot.
Sunflower Market, Club 54 and Santa Fe Federated Republican Women are billed as cosponsors.
Cunningham posted the flyer to Facebook, sparking debate over whether (Santa Fe) supermarkets and (Republican) politics should mix.
Thread participant Honey Ward investigated by calling Sunflower and reporting back that, according to the store’s director, Kim Prall, Sunflower is not a sponsor of the event and, Ward writes, “The organization which printed the flyers has retraced the statement of sponsorship by the store, written a letter of apology, and promised to quit distributing the flyers.”
A call to SFFRW was returned via voicemail by a woman identifying herself only as Elaine, who confirmed the event is not sponsored by the supermarket.
Sunflower’s Prall also confirms to SFR the market is not sponsoring the event, but also says no such event is happening outside the store. Sanchez’ campaign manager, however, tells SFR the candidate is indeed scheduled for the meet and greet, and that it is being held outside Sunflower.
HERE IS THE WHOLE NOTE I POSTED ON FACEBOOK.
AS YOU CAN READ, THE MANAGER SAID THE EVENT MIGHT BE ALLOWED ON THE PARKING LOT BY DEVARGAS MANAGEMENT, SO THERE MAY BE NO CONTRADICTION BETWEEN WHAT SDDRW AND SANCHEZ CAMPAIGN SAID.
This morning I spoke with the store director, Kim Prall, at 988.1140.
Here's what he told me:
1. They are not sponsoring an event
2. There is nothing happening in their store or in front of it.
3. He told the organization they should contact the mall itself if they wish to hold an event in the parking lot.
( Note the flyer does indicate the event is in the parking lot, and not the store).
4. The organization which printed the flyers has retracted the statement of sponsorship by the store, written a letter of apology, and promised to quit distributing the flyers.
5. The store has a monthly budget for giving, in $25 increments.
6. The store did give a $25 gift card to the organization which can be used to purchase food or drink.
7. They would give gift certificates to others who ask (up to their monthly maximum), and do not play political favorites.
8. They often have free wine tastings in the store, and if there is an event in the parking lot, authorized by mall management, people may come in for free samples.
Based on the information Mr. Prall provided, I believe this is a non-issue.
I might drop by that day and see what is actually occurring, and won't avoid shopping there at this time.
Other political candidates might want to ask for $25 gift cards, too.
Honey Ward
Should be SFFRW and not SDDRW up there. Sorry for the typo.
Thanks for posting that, Honey.