Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a television ad for his reelection bid, featured a controversial pastor who shamed Jews for not converting to Christianity.

In the ad, titled “Results,” Pastor Larry Jinks of First Baptist Church of St. James City, Florida, praises DeSantis for protecting the right of religious congregations “to worship together, in person,” during the pandemic. Jinks has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, including saying it’s a “shame” Jews rejected Jesus as their own messiah.

“It’s a shame that the Jews, who should know better, reject their own Messiah (who fulfilled everyone of their prophecies) still believe that they need sacrifices and the Temple to sacrifice them in,” Jinks wrote on Facebook in April. “Nonetheless, because of their rejection they will move forward with that plan.” The statement was made in response to a Jerusalem Post op-ed about rebuilding the Temple.

Jinks also criticized the pope for advocating for unity between Jews, Christians and Muslims. “We are called to be at odds with any religion that does not acknowledge Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the only way to the Father,” he added......

The 60-second commercial started airing nationwide on Sept. 6. Jinks confirmed that he was approached by the DeSantis campaign to appear in the video. “I was honored to do so,” Jinks wrote on Facebook. “I was happy as a Christian to do it,” he told the Pine Island Eagle.