Politics
Politics

A Senate bid by its pastor would mean IRS scrutiny for Ebenezer

The Rev. Raphael Warnock is considering a run for the U.S. Senate against Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. Warnock is the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. served as as pastor during the civil rights movement. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Credit: KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC

Credit: KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC

The Rev. Raphael Warnock is considering a run for the U.S. Senate against Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. Warnock is the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. served as as pastor during the civil rights movement. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM
By
Aug 25, 2015

Ebenezer Baptist Church pastor Rev. Raphael Warnock is considering a run for U.S. Senate with an unusual twist — he plans to stay on the legendary pulpit.

Such a move would invite scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service for Warnock and for Ebenezer, the spiritual home of Martin Luther King Jr.

It would still be legal for Warnock to preach and run as a Democrat against Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, but he would have to steer clear of his candidacy on the pulpit and avoid using any church resources for his campaign.

ExploreRead more here about IRS rules, how political foes could take advantage, and what legal experts and Ebenezer members have to say.

About the Author

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

Follow Greg Bluestein on facebookFollow Greg Bluestein on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Crowded field vies for metro Senate seat in Nov. 18 special election

Six candidates are vying to complete the Senate term being vacated by former state Sen. Jason Esteves. The special election is Nov. 18.

Georgia Democrats decry House vote to reopen federal government

The U.S. House has signed off on a funding bill that will end the government shutdown but all Georgia Democrats were opposed.

OPINION

History made clear this shutdown wasn’t going to work

Democrats failed to force action on their central issue, but seem to have succeeded in thrusting the issue of health insurance affordability squarely before voters.

The Latest

Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Crowded field vies for metro Senate seat in Nov. 18 special election

Georgia Democrats decry House vote to reopen federal government

State Election Board settles records lawsuit brought by watchdog group

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

The University of Georgia could soon limit the number of foreign workers it employs, a result of the $100,000 fee imposed on some H-1B visas.

Georgia judges deal blow to ICE’s new mandatory detention policy

The ruling is a first-of-its-kind to come out of Georgia’s Middle District.

At the Cobb jail, a new kind of rehabilitation starts at the horse barn

Joshua Arp is one of two Cobb County jail detainees taking part of the sheriff’s office new equine therapy program meant to help him stay out of jail.