The law is clear. Non-profit groups can’t participate in candidate campaigns.
But this week, Dino Rossi was passing out campaign envelopes at a meeting of the Christian Businessmen’s connection. This is a 501 (c) 3, according to federal tax records.
The Tacoma News Tribune notes: The Internal Revenue Service explicitly bars nonprofit groups from involvement in partisan politics. Nonprofit organizations can encourage voting in general or hold open candidate forums but, “organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in or intervening in any political campaign,” according to the IRS.
Here’s where there is a clear violation of the law. Again, from the Tacoma News Tribune:
In an audio recording of the luncheon obtained Thursday by The News Tribune, Dwight Mason, president of the group’s local chapter, can be heard leading a prayer that begins “Father, we are thankful of your care for us and thankful for this opportunity to hear Dino’s story and pray for him and his campaign…”
After the prayer, Mason told the crowd, “OK, at your table, this is not a fundraiser, although Dino did leave with us a couple envelopes there, and I’m sure he’d appreciate that.”
It looks like they will get their non-profit status revoked. And Dino should read the law (especially if he wants to be Governor).