PA-SEN: Dave McCormick campaigned outside a cheesesteak shop in North Philly. It didn't go smoothly. [View all]

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick on Friday afternoon made a campaign stop outside Max’s Steaks in North Philadelphia, the latest in a series of GOP events aimed at reaching out to Black voters in Philly this year. But McCormick’s campaign apparently didn’t do enough outreach to Max’s.

Mike Sfida, manager at Max’s, said he was told the event was for autism awareness and was surprised to see campaign signs for McCormick and former President Donald Trump being hung up outside the restaurant. Sfida said he welcomed the event because his niece and nephew have autism, “not a political campaign.”

“We didn’t sign up for that at all. Zero,” Sfida said as the McCormick team was wrapping up the event. “I could throw them all out of here, but I’m going to be nice. Do your thing. When you’re done, leave. You’re not welcome back.”

Earlier, McCormick, who is running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, spoke briefly to a crowd of several dozen people on the sidewalk outside Max’s before handing out cheesesteaks. His campaign bus was parked on Erie Avenue, attracting passersby who were curious about the commotion or who had heard someone was giving out free sandwiches.....

The confusion over the purpose of the event stemmed from the fact that it was organized in part by Sheila Armstrong, a Philadelphia activist of various causes who has run for City Council as a Democrat but is now a Republican. Sfida said Armstrong reached out to him to schedule the event on behalf of her nonprofit organization, Cooking4Autism, and not on behalf of McCormick’s campaign.



https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/dave-mccormick-maxs-cheesteaks-campaign-philadelphia-20241005.html