The happiest place on earth has joined the political frenzy, and despite being two hours away, Gainesville residents are forming divided opinions in response.
About a month out from Election Day, contributions from The Walt Disney Co. entities to Florida candidates and committees totaled roughly $2.5 million. The sum includes donations to 70 Republican candidates, 13 Democratic candidates, and both the Florida Democratic and Republican parties, according to Florida Department of State Division of Elections campaign contribution reports.
A search for “Disney” in the campaign finance database’s contributor names for the 2012 general election yielded 490 results as of press time. The giant corporation has already given more than four times what it did during the 2008 election cycle.
Jordan Sonaglia, a 21-year-old agricultural education and communication senior at UF, said Disney’s political involvement lowers her perception of the corporation’s integrity.
“I think of Disney as innocent – little kids are going there with their families,” she said. “Big industries or companies like this need to have a neutral perspective on politics.”
Kelly Semrad, associate director of UF’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute, said Disney’s political giving is neither odd nor surprising. In the past, she said, the company has been bold in vocalizing its discouragement of gambling expansion in Florida.
“Disney has always had a loud voice in the tourism market,” Semrad said.
Semrad said because Disney customers represent a very diverse population, extending political support to either side of the aisle probably won’t hurt Disney sales.
“There will be people who are knowledgeable about this, and they may not agree but others will. And others won’t care,” Semrad said.
Regardless of the financial impact, Madison Holfeld, a 19-year-old marketing sophomore, said she doesn’t believe celebrities or big companies should support political parties or causes.
“It might sway people in a certain way because it’s in the spotlight,” she said. “I feel it’s slightly unethical.”
Thomas Harrington, a Santa Fe College political science professor, said Disney’s political interests stem from the inseparable linkage between politics and tourism in Florida.
Because Florida is one of the only states without a state income tax, he said, state government relies heavily on the tourism industry for revenue from sales tax.
Harrington said Disney’s expenditures for political causes stem from self-interest.
“Everyone who does big business in the state of Florida wants to have their say in Tallahassee,” he said.
