Walmart donated to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as he fought Biden vaccine

Walmart’s political action committee donated to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s reelection campaign last month, as he geared up to fight a federal Covid-19 vaccine mandate, according to a new federal filing.

The donation came as the retail industry has expressed concerns about the mandate weighing on operations as the holiday shopping season approaches and America faces labor shortages.

The contribution also came after Abbott, a Republican who is up for reelection next year, signed a law that effectively bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as well as legislation that includes voting restrictions.

Arkansas-based Walmart made the $10,000 donation, dated Sept. 29, through its “PAC for sustainable government,” according to a Federal Election Commission filing.

The mega retailer’s donation to Abbott was the biggest contribution it gave to any state or federal elected official that month. The Walmart PAC also contributed $5,000 to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, also a Republican.

Records show Walmart has contributed to both Abbott’s and Patrick’s campaigns in the past. The company has also contributed to Democrats.

“As a company that operates in all 50 states, it is necessary for us to engage political leaders from both parties across a broad spectrum of policy matters. Our company and PAC engage in a bipartisan manner based on a range of issues that impact our associates, customers and shareholders,” a Walmart representative told CNBC.

“We have not been and will never be a single-issue contributor, and we recognize that at times elected officials will back legislation we don’t support or condone. However, it’s important that we continue to engage in the political process and make our views known to policymakers and other stakeholders.”

President Joe Biden in September announced that his administration would implement a Covid vaccine mandate that would cover private businesses with 100 or more workers. It will apply to about two-thirds of the private sector’s workforce. The administration is expected to publish the rules soon.

Abbott has led Republican efforts to battle the Covid vaccine mandate. He slammed Biden’s announcement in early September. The governor then signed an executive order this month prohibiting such mandates, including requirements by businesses in the Lone Star State.

Walmart had demanded that its corporate staff as well as its management-level employees be vaccinated against Covid by Oct. 4. The mandate applies to all employees who work in its home office, in addition to market, regional and divisional employees who work in multiple facilities. It does not apply to employees who work in a single location, like a store or warehouse.

The National Retail Federation, of which Walmart is a member, has pushed the administration to give companies more time to comply with the…