According to the IRS, churches can officially do what regarding candidates?

The IRS allows churches to endorse candidates under certain circumstances, albeit with specific limitations. While tax-exempt organizations, including churches, are generally prohibited from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates, they can express support for candidates in a manner that does not compromise their tax-exempt status. This typically occurs if the endorsements are based on the candidate's alignment with the church’s values or mission, rather than direct political campaigning.

The nuance here is important: while churches can endorse candidates, they must tread carefully to ensure that their activities do not become primarily political in nature, which could risk their tax-exempt status. Additionally, churches are encouraged to engage in issue advocacy rather than candidate endorsement to maintain compliance with IRS regulations.

The other options—ignoring candidates, criticizing them, or raising funds for them—do not accurately reflect the permitted actions for churches under IRS rules, as these could lead to violations of the restrictions placed on political activity for tax-exempt entities.