GOP writes churches on 'electioneering'

GREEN BAY - FOX 11 News has obtained a copy of a letter sent to area churches by the Republican Party of Brown County, warning them against “electioneering.”

The letter claims the group has “repeated, documented reports” of “the distribution of political position papers, pre-written form letters, and other political advocacy activities,” which are not allowed because of the churches’ tax-exempt status. The letter says the party will not pursue past violations from 2008, but warns it would take action in the future. The letter does not name any specific churches or examples.

• Click here to see a copy of the letter (PDF format)

Pastor Troy Murphy of Green Bay Community Church received the letter. The church responded with a letter back to the Republican Party. It stated the church takes a hard-line approach to not getting involved politically. Murphy says that was even the case when he was selected to deliver the invocation for President Obama's visit to Green Bay in June.

"To not mix party issues and I even had people asking me what's your stance on this it's like, 'no, I'm praying for the President,'" said Murphy.

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference has a set of guidelines for its churches, which was updated during last year's presidential campaign.

"We often say in our materials, here are some important issues for you, but we address a broad range of issues and they don't mesh with anybody's platform," said executive director John Huebscher.

Sam Dunlop, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Brown County, says if the Republicans have evidence of wrongdoing, it should be turned over to the proper authorities. He said it is not a political party’s place to enforce state and federal laws.

"It's a shame they would go and harass our local spiritual leaders," said Dunlop. "They're telling people they are watching them and it's rather big brother-like, specifically from a party that has been talking so much about small government."

Our repeated phone calls to the chair of the Republican Party of Brown County were not immediately returned.