In Clearwater council election, one candidate appears a favorite of Scientologists - 2018-02-05
In Clearwater council election, one candidate appears a favorite of Scientologists February 5, 2018,
As a tax-exempt religious organization, the Church of Scientology is barred by the Internal Revenue Service from endorsing any political candidates.
But City Council Seat 5 candidate John Funk, who is challenging incumbent Hoyt Hamilton in the March 13 election, has earned a following among parishioners and those close to Scientology.
Scientology leader David Miscavige has made clear the organization's interest in who claims two open City Council seats in the upcoming election, as well as three more seats in 2020. When discussing in April how Scientology would react to the city's purchase of a 1.4-acre downtown lot the church also wanted to buy, City Manager Bill Horne said Miscavige responded that he'd cut communication and "work with the next council" on church issues.
