Bill Kristol
“‘You’re not welcome back.’ That’s the message the manager of Max’s Steaks had for Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick, after his campaign held an event outside the restaurant Friday that the eatery was told would be about autism awareness.”

2:58 PM · Oct 6, 2024

The Daily Beast (archived) - Philly Restaurant Bans GOP Candidate After Being Told Campaign Stop Was Autism Event

After GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick held a campaign event at a restaurant that was told it was an autism awareness event, his campaign was booted from a church fundraiser.

Sean Craig

Updated Oct. 06, 2024 2:35PM EDT / Published Oct. 06, 2024 11:23AM EDT

“You’re not welcome back.”

That’s the message the manager of Philadelphia cheesesteak joint Max’s Steaks had for Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, after his campaign held an event outside the restaurant Friday that the eatery was told would be about autism awareness.

Mike Sfida—who agreed to hold the event because his niece and nephew have autism—was alarmed when he saw Donald Trump signs being hung outside the beloved North Philly spot on Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. McCormick arrived, gave a campaign stump address, and then handed out free sandwiches.

“We didn’t sign up for that at all. Zero,” he told the newspaper after the event, which he allowed the McCormick team to finish before making clear they should stay away from his restaurant thereafter. “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.”

/snip