Tories said they would be handing over to police a Unite document which they have obtained, listing 41 constituencies in which the union has supported candidates for selection.
Some are even supporting candidates for president.
And because they support candidates for governor in many states, it can be difficult to draw links between any single donor and a given candidate.
The Morris County group usually raises money in small amounts from local businesses and spends its funds to support candidates for local offices.
Mr. Sharpton said he had decided to identify and support candidates for City Council seats around the city after the recent controversy surrounding the presidential election in Florida.
QUESTION FROM DAFNE: I am one of those who thinks that, to keep the message going, OWS must pick and support candidates for elected office, but how would they go about that?
The federal tax code bars religious organizations from supporting candidates for office, but they are free to address public-policy issues, and many are speaking out on same-sex marriage.
"I doubt that it is unusual for businesspeople of all stripes to support candidates for office," Bochco said.
