New Mexico megachurch endorses Republican candidates, testing federal ban
Legacy Church pastor Steve Smothermon backs GOP candidates Cunningham and Hull as Trump administration challenges Johnson amendment.
A New Mexico megachurch has openly endorsed two Republican candidates for the midterm elections, violating a federal law that bars tax-exempt nonprofits from engaging in political endorsements. Pastor Steve Smothermon of Legacy Church urged his congregation to support Greg Cunningham, who is challenging Democratic Representative Gabriel Vasquez in a competitive House race, and later endorsed Gregg Hull for governor. The endorsements come as the Trump administration pursues a legal challenge to the 1954 Johnson amendment.