AU Asks IRS To Investigate Mayoral Endorsement By Pennsylvania Pastor

Americans United yesterday (press release) asked the Internal Revenue Service (full text of letter) to investigate whether Bethel Village AME Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania violated IRS regulations applicable to non-profits by supporting one of the city's mayoral candidates. AU cites an introduction by the church's pastor of Linda Thompson, the current city council president who was the Democratic candidate for mayor. Thompson then spoke from the pulpit for ten minutes. In the introduction, Pastor Martin Odom praised Thompson as "a person who knows the ins and outs of city government," and referred to her as "the next mayor of the city of Harrisburg." Thompson won the mayoral election on Tuesday. (Harrisburg Patriot-News.)