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Son Of Target’s Founder Disappointed With Decision To Donate To Anti-LGBT MN Candidate Emmer

08/26/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Mark Dayton, the son of the founder of Target Corp, has spoken out about the decision by the company to donate $150,000 to MN Forward, a business backed group supporting Republican Tom Emmer.  Dayton is also running against Emmer in the Minnesota governor’s race, and currently leading his opponent by around ten points.  He answered questions from a reporter regarding the whole issue.

Dayton: “Personally, I’m disappointed in that decision. I am very proud of what my father and his brothers, who are my uncles, and thousands of Minnesotans built as the Dayton-Hudson Corporation and Target is one of those subsidiaries. You know, my family’s been out of the operating side of the business for about the last, almost the last 30 years. I don’t hold any stock directly in Target in my own holdings. I don’t know the percent of my family’s holding in Target but I would estimate it is less than one percent of the actively traded shares in the company and certainly my family has no voice in the actions of Target corporation.”

Reporter: “Had your family still be involved do you think that Target would have given to MN Forward.”

Dayton: “I don’t believe so. No.”

Dayton made the remarks while at a press even announcing his endorcement by the Service Employees International Union.  The union has made a significant number of contributions itself, to liberal groups.  Javier Morillo-Alicea has stated that their local union chapter SEIU Local 26 is considering joining the Target boycott that has been called by MoveOn.org.

Meanwhile, Washington University has backed out of a partnered event with Target Corp in the wake of the donation to anti-LGBT Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.  The University administrators have canceled the Target After Hours Shopping Event.  The program has Target keep open various stores after hours and providing transportation for college freshmen to shop and receive prizes.  This was intended to be a part of their First 40 Days events at Wash. U for the incoming freshmen.

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