Eric Bauman, chair of the California Democratic Party, may never eat fast food again.

His Thursday tweet calling on Democrats to boycott the In-N-Out burger chain because of the contributions the company has made to Republicans stirred up a rash of jokes, complaints and other responses that left state party officials quickly backing away from their boss.

The tweet “was from his personal account, and it’s not the policy of the California Democratic Party,” said John Vigna, a party spokesman.

But Bauman’s tweet, personal opinion or not, was pretty specific.

“Et tu In-N-Out? he wrote. “Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party... it’s time to #BoycottInNOut - let Trump and his cronies support these creeps... perhaps animal style!

(“Animal style,” for those unfamiliar with In-N-Out’s not-so-secret menu, includes extra spread, mustard-grilled beef patties and more pickles.)

Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party... it’s time to #BoycottInNOut - let Trump and his cronies support these creeps... perhaps animal style!https://t.co/9zkdFaG5CJ — EricBauman (@EricBauman) August 30, 2018

Bauman was responding to a short story in Los Angeles magazine that talked about In-N-Out’s $25,000 contribution to the California Republican Party this week. It promptly spawned an outpouring of support from progressives on Twitter, as the hashtag #BoycottInNOut became a thing.

The company protested that it gives to Democrats and Republicans alike. Bauman’s boycott call also brought a backlash from some who were outraged that Democrats would go after businesses just because they donated to their opponents.

“Grow up! Just because a company doesn’t have the same views as you do doesn’t mean you need to boycott,” wrote one Twitter responder. “I swear grown men acting like babies because not everyone agrees with them.”

Republican candidates also got into the act.

“We should cheer companies who value their employees by paying them higher wages with good benefits rather than tear them down over petty partisanship,” GOP Rep. Mimi Walters, who is facing a tough re-election campaign in her Orange County district, said in a tweet. “And I mean can you really resist a burger from @innoutburger? (Minus my vegetarian friends of course.)”

We should cheer companies who value their employees by paying them higher wages with good benefits rather than tear them down over petty partisanship. And I mean can you really resist a burger from @innoutburger? (Minus my vegetarian friends of course.)https://t.co/RCEWjVcoyn — Mimi Walters (@MimiWaltersCA) August 30, 2018

John Cox, the Republican candidate for governor, was quick to post a picture of himself standing in front on an In-N-Out restaurant, adding, “Great lunch today in Fresno.”

There’s nothing more Californian than In-N-Out Burger. Great lunch today in #Fresno. If .@GavinNewsom is nervous debating me on CA issues - maybe a friendly Double Double vs Caviar joust? pic.twitter.com/pEHqhb8jD3 — JohnHCox (@TheRealJohnHCox) August 30, 2018

Boycotts of companies that give money to the opposition would take political partisanship to a whole new level. A look at 2018 donations to the two main California parties shows just what dueling, tit-for-tat boycotts could mean for businesses.

Democrats, for example, would have to avoid not only In-N-Out, but also Facebook, Target, Microsoft, Anheuser-Busch, McDonald’s and virtually every oil company. They’re just some of the many groups that have given money to the state Republican Party this year.

For Republicans, boycotting Democratic supporters would mean never using Uber, not drinking Gallo wine or Pepsi, dropping T-Mobile cellular service, refusing to have garbage hauled by Recology or to go to a Paramount Pictures movie.

And what about the many companies, including Jack in the Box, MillerCoors and 1-800-Contacts, that have given to both parties this year?

A statement released by In-N-Out said the company is one such bipartisan donor.

“In 2018, In-N-Out Burger has made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican political action committees in the state of California,” said Arnie Wensinger, a company spokesman. “While it is unfortunate that our contributions to support both political parties in California (have) 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.”

Ultra-partisan fighting over who gives what to whom is something neither party wants to contemplate. If companies are forced to choose between a boycott by their customers or making political contributions, it would suddenly become much tougher for Democrats and Republicans to raise money to run their campaigns.

For Democratic Party officials, the answer is to laugh off Bauman’s hasty tweet and hope the kerfuffle goes away.

“Chair Bauman’s personal tweet reflects his belief that he shouldn’t support companies that support the Trump agenda, and that Jeff’s Gourmet Kosher Sausage Factory on West Pico Boulevard is the best All-American treat in California,” the party said.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth