New Mexico megachurch endorses Republican candidates, testing federal ban

Legacy Church, a nondenominational megachurch in New Mexico with nine locations across the state, has endorsed two Republican candidates in this year’s midterm elections. The church’s actions, which violate federal law prohibiting tax-exempt nonprofits from endorsing political candidates, have drawn attention as the Trump administration challenges the ban in federal court.

Pastor Steve Smothermon, who leads the church, announced his support for Greg Cunningham, a Republican congressional candidate running to unseat Democratic Representative Gabriel Vasquez. In a message to his congregation, Smothermon praised Cunningham for his service and shared the church’s values, urging members to “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!”

Cunningham’s race is one of the few competitive contests in New Mexico, where recent polling shows Vasquez leading with 48% of the vote compared to Cunningham’s 44%. Vasquez, a Democrat, won his House seat in 2024 despite the district voting for Donald Trump. Republican congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have actively campaigned for Cunningham, while former President Donald Trump endorsed him in a Truth Social post in April.

Two months after endorsing Cunningham, Smothermon also backed Gregg Hull, the Republican gubernatorial candidate. In a social media post, Smothermon encouraged followers to “Stand up and vote your biblical worldview,” expressing support for Hull’s candidacy.

Smothermon has faced criticism for years over his involvement in endorsing candidates for state and local elections. His actions have sparked debate about the role of religious institutions in political processes, particularly as they navigate legal boundaries and public expectations. The church’s current endorsements test the limits of existing laws and highlight the ongoing tension between faith-based advocacy and political neutrality.

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