Like oil and water, politics and nonprofits don’t mix.
Anna Maria Island Privateers president Kim “Syren” Boyd wrote in a July 8 email to The Islander that political signs carried on at least two entries in the Privateers’ Independence Day Parade might have jeopardized the organization’s nonprofit status.
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore rode with her daughter, Janae Rudacille, in a convertible decorated with signs advertising her campaign for reelection to the at-large District 6 commission seat.
Whitmore will face two challengers in the Aug. 23 Republican primary. There also are two write-in candidates in the November general election.
A truck with decals promoting a Tampa tree-trimming service carried a campaign flag for ex-President Donald Trump — who is not yet a candidate for office in 2024.
Also, some participants of a Jeep club displayed Trump flags as they traveled the parade route from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria.
Another vehicle that featured campaign signs promoting Jason Bearden, one of Whitmore’s challengers, drove ahead of the parade processional and was not an official entry.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Code prohibits nonprofits from “directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign” and states violations “may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status,” according to irs.gov.
Boyd distanced the AMIP and its parade from political fervor.
“The (Privateers) do not support nor endorse any political party, candidate or political beliefs,” Boyd wrote. “We have already spoke to a representative from each vehicle alerting them to our rule and the penalty of such occurrence.”
The application to participate in the AMIP parade states, “As a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization, we cannot allow any activities related to political advertising, solicitation, campaigning or endorsements.”
The application also states that the AMIP must approve entries with “no exceptions” but Boyd said some might have slipped through the cracks. This year’s event lacked a parade staging official to ensure entries complied with parade rules.
However, it’s unclear if a staging official would have caught the violations.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander July 8 that he did not see political signage on vehicles at the staging area as late as 15 minutes before the parade departed from Coquina Beach.
Tokajer expressed sympathy for the AMIP, saying there was “no way” to enforce the rules along a 7-mile stretch from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria.
“Once parade floats leave the staging area, we cannot monitor every parade float for the 7 miles we travel and also cannot stop other floats from entering the parade,” Boyd wrote. “Late arrivals and floats entering while the procession is en route happen on a regular basis due to traffic issues, motor vehicle issues and other various reasons.”
As a result of the incident, Boyd wrote that the AMIP would review its rules and staging protocols but they may decide not to punish the violators.
“The Privateers do not feel these actions were done maliciously or intentionally,” Boyd wrote. “Both (offenders) were very apologetic and stated this would not happen again.”
Whitmore told The Islander July 8 that she did not know political campaign signage was prohibited on vehicles in the parade because she displayed signs in past years. She said her signs were in place from the start but arrived close to launch and at the “very back” of the processional.
She added that she saw five-seven other floats with political signage, including several “Let’s go Brandon” signs and decals.
“They used to have somebody there to check you in … but there was nobody,” Whitmore said. “I didn’t know it was against the rules and I don’t think anybody there knew.”
She called herself an “honorary Privateer,” saying her father was part of the organization, and adding that she respected the AMIP’s rules and would comply moving forward.
“I would do anything they want us to do,” Whitmore said. “If the Privateers don’t want political (signs) there shouldn’t be any. … Now that they told me, I said ‘Don’t worry, I’ll never do it again.’”
Regardless of the political zeal, both Boyd and Tokajer spoke positively of the event and the enthusiasm of the paradegoers.
“The Privateers are very proud and we celebrate the successful parade we had that was largely attended by seven miles of spectators and 145 parade vehicles. We are pleased that there have been no reports of injury from water toys and immense fun was had by all who attended,” Boyd wrote.
“It was a great event,” Tokajer said. “It was very well attended and I was happy to participate.”