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After cancelling the fundraiser, Brian Krzanich said he sought to engage "both campaigns in open dialogue on issues in technology."
(AP photo)
Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich canceled a Thursday fundraiser for apparent Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after The New York Times began inquiring about it, the paper reported.
Online tech journal Recode said the reversal came amid an outcry from within Intel's own ranks about Krzanich backing Trump while the company promotes an initiative to improve diversity within its work force.
"Brian Krzanich is not endorsing any presidential candidate," Intel told Recode in a statement. "We are interested in engaging both campaigns in open dialogue on issues important to the technology industry."
Late Wednesday, Krzanich issued a tweet declaring he would not endorse any presidential candidate and sought to engage "both campaigns in open dialogue on issues in technology."
Though Intel's headquarters are in Santa Clara, California, the chipmaker's largest site is in Washington County. The company had 19,500 employees in Oregon before it began a round of job cuts this spring that will reduce its work force by 11 percent across the company.
According to the Times, Krzanich had planned a fundraiser for Trump at his home in the wealthy city of Atherton, California, with "a full exchange of views." Intel later told the paper Krzanich would cancel the event, and Trump then planned a rally in nearby San Jose.
As a presidential candidate, Trump has complained loudly about illegal immigration and has taken both sides on the issue of skilled, legal immigration. Intel is a leading backer of expanding the number of skilled immigrants allowed into the country, and one of the nation's top recipients of H-1B visas for skilled workers.
Trump has also come under fire for language he has used about women during his career and his campaign. Intel said last year it is committed to increasing the number of women and other groups underrepresented within its own work force, and just Wednesday pledged his support for a campaign to reduce online harassment.
-- Mike Rogoway
mrogoway@oregonian.com
503-294-7699
@rogoway