MN Republican Endorsed Candidate Holding Political Fundraiser At Bemidji Church

One of the candidates vying for a position on the Minnesota Supreme Court may be defying laws that prohibit churches from intervening in political campaigns. Tim Tingelstad, an extremely conservative court candidate who appears to have connections with groups who deny all existence of the separation of church and state is planning to have a “Pie Social Fundraiser” at which the money raised will go to the Tingelstad campaign.

From the Tingelstad Facebook Page:

Tingelstad Church Fundraiser

While there are times when candidates may appear in church without the church violating its tax exempt status it is pretty clear that fundraising for a particular candidate violates the law:

Speaking as a Candidate
When a candidate is invited to speak at an organization event as a political candidate, the organization must take steps to ensure that:

• It provides an equal opportunity to political candidates seeking the same office;
• It does not indicate any support for or opposition to the candidate (this should be stated explicitly when the candidate is introduced and in communications concerning the candidate’s attendance); and
• No political fundraising occurs. [emphasis mine]

I sent emails to the church in question and Tim Tingelstad requesting comment about whether they are knowingly violating the law and jeopardizing the tax exempt status of this church. There will be continued updates as more information becomes available.

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