新墨西哥州一家大型教会背书了今年中期选举中的两名共和党候选人，其中包括一名获得唐纳德·特朗普背书、在该蓝州为数不多的竞争性选区之一参选的候选人。该教会的背书行为违反了联邦法律——该法律禁止免税非营利组织背书政治候选人——此举正值特朗普政府正在联邦法院挑战该禁令之际。
Legacy Church’s endorsements violate law banning tax-exempt nonprofits from endorsing political candidates A megachurch in New Mexico has endorsed two Republican candidates running in this year’s midterms, including a Donald Trump-backed candidate running in one of the blue state’s few competitive races. The church’s endorsements, which violate federal law banning tax-exempt nonprofits from endorsing political candidates, come as the Trump administration is challenging that ban in federal court.
8月中旬，Legacy Church（传承教会）的牧师史蒂夫·斯莫瑟蒙向会众介绍了其中一名候选人：“格雷格·坎宁安忠心服侍我们教会14年，与我们拥有共同的圣经价值观。让我们为他祷告，支持他的竞选，去登记注册，并投票翻转这个席位，选出一位将为上帝、我们的宪法和更美好的新墨西哥州而挺身而出的人！”
In mid-August, pastor Steve Smothermon of Legacy Church, a nondenominational church with nine locations across the state, told his congregation about one of the candidates: “Greg Cunningham has faithfully served our church for 14 years and shares our biblical values. Let’s pray for him, support his campaign, get registered, and vote to flip this seat for someone who will stand for God, our Constitution, and a better New Mexico!”
