New Mexico megachurch endorses Republicans, testing ban on church politicking

Legacy Church, a New Mexico megachurch, has endorsed Republican candidates for Congress and governor, defying a federal ban on endorsements by tax-exempt nonprofits that the Trump administration is challenging in court.

A megachurch in New Mexico has endorsed two Republican candidates in this year's midterm elections, defying a federal law that bars tax-exempt nonprofits from endorsing political candidates, The Guardian reported.

In mid-August, Steve Smothermon, pastor of Legacy Church, a nondenominational church with nine locations across the state, told his congregation that congressional candidate Greg Cunningham "has faithfully served our church for 14 years and shares our biblical values," and urged members to "vote to flip this seat."

Cunningham, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is challenging Democratic Rep. Gabriel Vasquez in one of the state's few competitive races. A recent poll showed Vasquez leading 48% to 44%. House Speaker Mike Johnson has campaigned for Cunningham twice.

The east entrance of the New Mexico State Capitol (file photo)

In an Oct. 6 social media post, Smothermon also endorsed Gregg Hull, the Republican candidate for governor, writing that Hull "should be the next governor of New Mexico" and encouraging followers to "vote your biblical worldview."

The endorsements come as the Trump administration challenges the ban, known as the Johnson Amendment, in federal court. Smothermon has drawn criticism for years for backing candidates; in 2022 the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service over the church's involvement in that year's election.

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