Indianapolis City-County Council Candidate Reports $3,000 In Campaign Contributions From Church Groups

Churches and religious organizations are generally prohibited from engaging in political activity in order to maintain their 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Advance Indiana was surprised to see $3,000 in campaign contributions listed on  campaign finance reports filed by Councilor Stephen J. Clay, the slated Democratic candidate seeking election in District 13. Clay was selected by Democratic precinct committee persons last November to fill the unexpired term of Steve Tally following his election as Lawrence Township Trustee. He is running unopposed in the May 5 primary election.

According to Clay's campaign finance report, his campaign committee, "Friends of Stephen J. Clay," reported receiving on April 8 a $500 contribution from Shalom Church, a large black interdenominational church in Florissant, Missouri, a St. Louis suburb abutting Ferguson. Today, his campaign committee filed a supplemental large campaign report showing two contributions from the Baptist Ministers Alliance on April 14, one for $1,500 and one for $1,000. Clay, who is the senior pastor of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, formerly served as the president of the Baptist Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis and Vicinity. According to records on file with the Secretary of State's office, Clay incorporated the nonprofit organization on March 23, 2010. Former City-County Councilor Lonell Conley is listed as the nonprofit's registered agent.