Summary
Republican congressional candidate Mayra Flores, backed by Trump, has faced criticism for campaigning at church-hosted events, where banners and messaging appear partisan. Events at multiple churches featured Flores alongside religious figures supporting her, raising questions about potential violations of federal tax regulations that prohibit political campaigning in tax-exempt religious spaces.
Community members, including congregants, expressed concern over the blending of politics and religion, viewing it as a misuse of faith to sway voters.
Democratic representative Vicente Gonzalez, Flores’ opponent, has received complaints from constituents about the events and has emphasized the importance of maintaining a non-partisan atmosphere in churches.
I’m Christian and believe strongly in the separation of church and state because it makes better governments and better churches. I also believe that any entity paying taxes should have some level of input on the political process. Between that and the legitimate non-profit status of most churches, I strongly support legitimate religious institutions being exempt from taxes in the same way I support the food bank and non-profit cultural centers being tax exempt.
But churches that choose to participate directly in the political process are not holding up their end of the bargain. They’re making church and politics both worse, and their tax-exempt status should absolutely be revoked.