Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, made a campaign stop at Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The spice shop, known for its public criticism of the Republican Party, welcomed Harris with open arms. While addressing reporters, Harris emphasized the need for unity, stating, “It’s time to turn the page on the divisiveness. It’s time to bring our country together, chart a new way forward.” She commended Penzeys for its outspoken stance, calling it “courageous” and a reminder that Americans have more in common than what divides them.
Penzeys Spices isn’t shy about its political views. The company has an entire “About Republicans” page on its website, a scathing 842-word essay penned by CEO Bill Penzey, which criticizes the party’s stances on various issues. Penzey explicitly tells Republicans that they are welcome to shop elsewhere if they disagree with his views.
Penzey’s outspokenness has landed him in hot water before. In 2022, he renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Day to “Republicans Are Racist Weekend!” This stunt resulted in a loss of 40,000 subscribers on the company’s Facebook page. Penzeys Spices has not responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the recent controversy surrounding its anti-GOP stance and Harris’ visit.
Harris’ visit to Penzeys Spices highlights the increasing polarization in American politics. While she praised the shop’s outspokenness, the visit also brought renewed attention to Penzey’s controversial past and the potential for businesses to become entangled in political debates.
