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

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (right) speaks alongside President Donald Trump during his campaign event in Rome on March 9, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/TNS 2024)

Credit: TNS

Greene says she regrets ‘toxic politics’ as split with Trump widens

Amid an ongoing political makeover, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene urges a kinder tone and says the president’s attacks put her at risk.

Trump-Greene split: A MAGA divorce with Georgia implications

The messy public breakup between President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene marks the collapse of an alliance that has helped define MAGA politics.

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

The Latest

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (right) speaks alongside President Donald Trump during his campaign event in Rome on March 9, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/TNS 2024)

Credit: TNS

Greene says she regrets ‘toxic politics’ as split with Trump widens

Trump-Greene split: A MAGA divorce with Georgia implications

Georgia’s election interference case against Trump: How we got here

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.