Allegations emerge against Primanti Bros. CEO following JD Vance controversy

Primanti Bros., a Pittsburgh-based sandwich shop chain, found itself at the center of controversy after being accused of refusing entry to Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s campaign entourage during a stop at its North Versailles location. 

Following the incident, right-wing journalist Laura Loomer made allegations about the wife of Primanti Bros. CEO Adam Golomb, suggesting that her views may have influenced the restaurant's actions.

Washington County GOP chair Sean Logue told CBS News, the restaurant's manager initially barred Vance and his Secret Service detail from entering, stating they were not permitted to make a political stop at the establishment.

Logue recounted the manager’s response: "When we mentioned Kamala Harris had campaigned here recently, the manager replied, 'If he wants to sit and order food, we can’t stop him.'" Vance was eventually allowed inside after a brief standoff, with the restaurant citing a misunderstanding due to the unexpected arrival of the campaign entourage.

Loomer alleged that CEO Adam Golomb’s wife, Dr. Dana Rofey, a child psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh, may have influenced the restaurant's decision. Rofey is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and supports gender-affirming care for minors, which Loomer claimed could have led to bias against Vance's campaign. She highlighted Rofey's involvement in social justice initiatives, including her support for Black Lives Matter and participation in PRIDE events. 

Loomer characterized Rofey as part of a "radical leftist" agenda and suggested that her professional role could create a conflict of interest regarding political figures like Vance, who openly opposes such practices. Additionally, Loomer pointed to Golomb’s political donations to Democratic causes in 2020 as further evidence of potential bias.

Despite these allegations, Primanti Bros. maintained that the situation was handled promptly, reiterating that the incident was a result of logistical challenges, not political bias.