Local man asked to be part of DeSantis ‘Freedom reigns’ ad
A Pine Island pastor received a call he thought was a prank: Did he want to be part of a campaign ad for Gov. Ron DeSantis?
When he realized it was real, Larry Jinks, pastor of Pine Island First Baptist Church in Saint James City, readily agreed.
“The Governor’s team gave me a call a couple of weeks ago. They said someone gave them my name and our church and they asked me if I’d be willing to be in an ad for the Governor’s reelection campaign,” Jinks said.
Jinks, who makes no secret of the fact that he’s a big supporter of the Florida governor, said at first, he assumed it was a prank, but as it turns out, someone from the campaign saw him on social media and he was happy to be a part of the television ad which features Floridians thanking the governor for his actions during the COVID pandemic.
“They came out that afternoon, and we shot it. During the pandemic, whenever it was safe to get back to worship, our people were ready to get back to worship. We took all the precautions and we came back-we were very adamant about doing it safely, but getting back to worship,” Jinks said.
Although there is no other connection to DeSantis, Jinks said he was told by a campaign worker they’d been checking out the church’s Facebook page.
“I was happy as a supporter of the Governor to do it, I was happy as a Christian to do it, and I’m happy as a Pine Islander to do it. I wish I could say I was tight friends with the Governor, but that’s not the case,” Jinks said with a chuckle.
The reelection campaign ad dubbed “Freedom Reigns,” first aired Tuesday, Sept. 6, and may also be found on YouTube.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC, please email pleblanc@capecoralbreeze.com