JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you drive past the First Conservative Baptist Church in Mandarin, it’s clear the church wants T.K. Waters to be Jacksonville’s sheriff.

A Jacksonville man tweeted a picture of the sign displayed out front, raising questions about whether it’s legal for tax-exempt entities like churches to display political signs.

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According to the IRS website, charities and churches that are tax-exempt cannot participate, intervene in, or publish any political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Conservative Baptist’s longtime pastor Gene Youngblood is no stranger to displaying signs stirring controversy.

In 2017, Action News Jax reported on a church marquee that claimed Allah to be a fake God, and Jesus Christ the real one.

In 2015, the church sign read “homosexuals must repent or go to Hell.”

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Action News Jax reached out to T.K. Waters late Monday evening. When asked about the controversial signs in the past, he said he hadn’t seen them.

As for his campaign sign being displayed outside the church, he said: “If I’m elected sheriff, I’m going to be sheriff for every member of this community … I think I’ve proven that with my 31 years of service.”

Action News Jax made several attempts at reaching Youngblood on Monday. We are still waiting to hear back.

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