Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The campaign for incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick is working to fix large election signs that claim he was endorsed by the nonprofit Humane Society.
While Fitzpatrick was endorsed this campaign cycle by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the separate lobbying arm of the Humane Society that works to protect animals, the congressman did not receive support from the Humane Society.
According to IRS rules, nonprofits are not to engage in “supporting or opposing a candidate for public office” and risk losing their tax-exempt status if they do so.
The Humane Society released the following statement after being made aware of the signs:
The Humane Society of the United States is a public charity that does not endorse candidates for public office. While the Humane Society Legislative Fund, which is a 501(c)(4) organization, did endorse Brian Fitzpatrick, HSUS did not. HSUS does not control or direct any election related activities of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. We’re a public charity that does not ever endorse candidates for public office. Any use of the organization’s name or logo in an election for public office is made without our authorization. We have spoken with the campaign, and they have assured us that they are having the signs removed. We are sorry for any confusion this has caused.
The large light blue signs with the Humane Society name and logo have popped up in the lower and central portion of Bucks County. They are large and supporters of Democratic congressional candidate Scott Wallace pointed to the signs as misleading the voters.
“The signs incorrectly printed the (c)(3) logo rather than the (c)(4) logo, and this issue is being rectified,” Fitzpatrick campaign spokesperson Genevieve Malandra said.
Fitzpatrick’s campaign said they are replacing the nonprofit Humane Society logo on the signs.
The Wallace campaign did not comment on the signs.
