Many corporations reportedly decided not to support the Republican National Convention to distance themselves from the GOP nominee.

Unfortunately for the Democrats, some have also declined to help bankroll the official festivities in Philadelphia. Walgreens, for instance, was a top player in funding convention host committees, or the entities that help organize the events, in earlier years. In 2008, the company gave $100,000 to both conventions (it was also a big donor that cycle, ponying up more than $506,000 in federal contributions).

This year, the pharmacy giant declined to donate to either the Republican or Democratic host committees. But it turned to other ways to celebrate the moment, instead hosting off-campus events at both conventions.

We got a peek at Tuesday afternoon’s “Celebrating Women of the Democratic Caucus.” A stone’s throw away from City Hall, Walgreens decked out the third floor of its store (yes, it’s three stories) with pink popcorn (apparently “summer carrot and beet” flavored?) and beauty stations where representatives offered to apply the best Revlon products to partygoers’ faces. Caterers passed out prosecco and white wine beneath elaborate gold chandeliers.

Walgreens did not respond to a request for comment about this year’s funding decision. It’s still happy to ante up for its lobbyists, though: Walgreen Co. has spent $1.2 million lobbying this year so far and $2.1 million last year to make its case in Washington.

Other sponsors of the party included Revlon and the International Council of Shopping Centers, as well as women’s rights groups such as Your Life Your Voice, AmerisourceBergen, Running Start, She Should Run and the Women’s High Tech Coalition.

Some of this support went to stocking reusable bags for attendees stuffed with hygienic and makeup products such as Olay moisturizers and a Revlon highlighting stick (a smaller version valued at $14.49 online).

Navigating gift rules can be tricky, but Walgreens attempted to do its due diligence: Next to the goodie bags sat a sign that read, “State and municipal elected officials and staff should consult with their respective ethics offices before participating in the event or accepting giveaway bags.”

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Among the attendees included Karen Hinton, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s former press secretary, sporting a “Mayors for Hillary” button, alongside her husband Howard Glaser, longtime top official for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The couple chatted animatedly with Juanita Scarlett of lobbying firm Park Strategies and Violet Moss, former New York senior staffer and current lobbyist at Bolton St. Johns. Revlon and Walgreens execs mingled on the floor as well.

Also spotted was Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for an Illinois House seat; she defeated incumbent Kenneth Dunkin in the primary. Stratton, the director of a University of Chicago research center, is running unopposed in the general election. And the crowd included Rita Norton, senior vice president of government affairs at AmerisourceBergen Corp.

Nametags for a number of lawmaker invitees, including Reps. Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) hadn’t yet been picked up. A Walgreens employee excitedly informed OpenSecrets reporters that Oprah Winfrey’s infamous best friend, Gayle King, stopped by the store the day before, so she received an invite to Tuesday’s reception.

A half-mile away, law and lobbying firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney entertained lobbyists and Pennsylvania politicians in an invite-only reception overlooking the city. At R2L, an upscale restaurant on the 37th floor of one of Philadelphia’s tallest buildings, guests mingled and enjoyed an open bar along with hors d’oeuvres such as crispy risotto with parmesan foam.

Attendees were greeted by a lifesize cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton wearing a Buchanan Ingersoll button, next to a chocolate sculpture of a Democratic donkey.

Among the reception’s guests was Shelley Rubino, vice president for global government affairs at Airlines for America, who made headlines last year for her romantic relationship with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.). Also in attendance Tuesday was Shuster’s brother, Bob, Buchanan Ingersoll’s co-chair of federal and state government relations. Several state politicians — members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly including Rep. Dan Frankel (D), along with Rick Gray, mayor of Lancaster, Pa. — were spotted at the reception as well.

Buchanan Ingersoll’s employees have a history of donating to Dems, with more than $470,000 given so far this cycle.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, last year the firm took in more than $2.6 million in federal lobbying income, representing Comcast, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a slew of Keystone State interests (public and private) — oh, and Walgreens, proving once again that everything in money and politics is connected.



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