Coca-Cola CEO Says Company Has Always Opposed Georgia’s New Voting Law

Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said the company has always been against legislation in Georgia that restricts voter access, but chooses to speak up publicly after the bill is passed.

“We have always opposed this legislation,” Quincey told CNBC’s Sara Eisen during Wednesday’s “Power Lunch”.

He added that the company has a long history in Georgia, where it is based, working with lawmakers and lobbying for itself or with alliances and achieving what it wants while working in private.

Coke is among many companies now taking a public stand after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that revises elections in the state, which opponents say disproportionately deprives people of color. Civil rights groups have slammed the beverage giant for not vocally opposing the law and called on consumers to boycott the company’s products until it speaks out more forcefully.

“Now that it’s passed, we’re going out more publicly,” Quincey said.

He said the company suspended political donations through its political action committee before the bill was proposed. In the past, the company has made political donations to some of Bill’s sponsors.

In the interview, Quincey used stronger language than Coke’s previous statement to oppose the law, calling it “bad” and saying it needs to change. On Monday, Alfredo Rivera, president of Cokes’ North American business unit, said in a statement that the company was disappointed with the outcome, but did not see it as the final chapter. Rivera also said Coke joined with other Georgian companies earlier this year to let state lawmakers know they oppose measures to restrict voter access. Last year Coke threw its very first corporate party for Election Day.

Merck CEO Ken Frazier and former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, both black, are calling on business leaders to oppose the law. Other companies that have issued statements on the law include Delta Air Lines, which also faced boycott calls, and BlackRock.