Bargain bin: Wal-Mart gives to Nixon - two days after election

Source: Saint Louis Post-Dispatch

By Jake Wagman

Political donors will often hedge their bets by giving to both candidates in a competitive race.

But, in this month’s contest for Missouri governor, Wal-Mart found a way to make sure it was backing the winner: Wait until the polls close.

Campaign reports for Gov. elect Jay Nixon show that the retail giant gave the Democrat’s campaign $10,000 on Nov. 6 - two days after the election.

Though based in Bentonville, Ark., Wal-Mart has strong ties to Missouri - founder Sam Walton went to high school in Columbia, Mo.

However, that bit of history may not hold much sway for members of organized labor - early and active supporters of Nixon - who for years have battled Wal-Mart’s attempts to keep unions out of their stores.