After California Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman called for a boycott of the restaurant chain for its donations to the California Republican Party, In-N-Out Burger executive vice president Arnie Wensinger responded with a statement defending the company’s support for both parties.

“In 2018, In-N-Out Burger has made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican Political Action Committees in the State of California,” Wensinger wrote on Thursday as he began his defense of a company that supports lawmakers not based on party affiliation but rather the promotion of “policies that strengthen California” and help the company provide “strong pay and great benefits” for its employees. (RELATED: California Democratic Party Chair Calls For In-N-Out Boycott After Burger Joint Donates To Republicans)

San Francisco-based KPIX TV Reporter Mary Lee tweeted the statement:

In-N-Out Burger responds to #BoycottInNOut. The Executive VP says In-N-Out donated to both political parties not just the California Republican Party. Here’s the official statement. @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/r3eejM5B8N — Mary Lee (@MaryKPIX) August 30, 2018

Read the entire statement below:

In 2018, In-N-Out Burger has made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican Political Action Committees in the State of California. For years, In-N-Out Burger has supported lawmakers who, regardless of political affiliation, promote policies that strengthen California and allow us to continue operating with the values of providing strong pay and great benefits for our Associates. It is actually far more important to In-N-Out and our Foundations to support our communities by contributing millions of dollars to hundreds of organizations in California to prevent child abuse, human trafficking and substance addiction. We have been fortunate to do business in this great state for almost 70 years. While it is unfortunate that our contributions to support both political parties in California has caused concern with some groups, we believe that bipartisan support is a fair and consistent approach that best serves the interests of our company and all of our Customers. Arnie Wensinger, Executive Vice President

In-N-Out Burger

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