Counterfeit endorsements that raised the hackles of St. Johns County Republicans in August 2024 have led to criminal charges in 2026, months after a confidential executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis that governed the charges.
Two of those named in the indictment serve on the County Commission, with one being someone he appointed to his seat, and a third principal serves on a local Commission in the county.
Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst are being charged with conspiracy to create an unauthorized voter guide, allegedly in violation of Florida Statutes 106.1436 and 777.04.
The voter guide charge amounts to a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by a fine of not less than $25 for each voter guide distributed up to $2,500 in a given month.
The conspiracy charge is a second-degree misdemeanor if the parties are found guilty as charged.
Additionally, they are charged with representing the voter guide they created as representing the will of the St. Johns Republican Executive Committee.
If found guilty, they will be considered principals in the first degree.
Others charged include political consultant Briana Jordan, Jamie Lynn Johnson, and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Dylan Rumrell,
Jordan is also singled out on a count of tampering with evidence, an alleged violation of Statute 918.13, which would be a third-degree felony if she is found guilty.
Spokespeople for the legal team representing the elected officials commented Monday evening.
“These allegations have lingered for nearly two years in the hands of various government agencies. With formal charges now filed, County Commissioner Arnold, County Commissioner Whitehurst and St. Augustine Beach City Commissioner Rumrell look forward to the conclusion of this matter and will have no further comments at this time,” Bachman Galnor Communications said.
Rumrell ran unopposed in 2024 and would not have to run again until 2028. Whitehurst defeated a candidate endorsed by the party and, for now, is in office until 2028. Arnold, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021, was not on the ballot, and she is not running for re-election this year.
Politicians facing criminal charges are often suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation at the Governor’s discretion. We have reached out to the Governor’s press team for comment.
Ann-Marie Evans, who lost to Whitehurst in 2024, said she was “appalled” and “shocked” and blamed the falsified mailer for her narrow loss to Whitehurst in comments she made to First Coast News two years ago.
The fake guide appropriated the party’s branding and styling but endorsed different candidates, without a disclaimer of who paid for it as required by law.
The real endorsees included Congressional candidate Mara Macie, state Senate candidate Gerry James, current state legislator Kim Kendall (who won despite the ruse), Commission candidate Evans and victorious Commissioners Clay Murphy and Ann Taylor. School Board candidate Francis Cummings, who lost, and Dr. Linda Thomson, who won, rounded out the slate.
The fake picks included state Sen. Tom Leek, unsuccessful state House candidates Darryl Boyer and Nick Primrose, failed Sheriff candidate Jim Priester, county clerk Brandon Patty, Whitehurst, defeated County Commissioners Roy Alaimo and Henry Dean, failed School Board candidate Lynn Straughan, and Republican state committeewoman Tamara Renaurt.
Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power was pleased that charges were finally filed, saying the party takes its branding seriously and that the state election crimes unit had handled the case.
St. John’s County GOP Chair Denver Cook is traveling with his family and will offer comment as soon as he is able. But his comments to ABC News from 2024 will do until we get a formal response.
“I was in shock. I’m dealing with one of probably the most flagrant frauds on voters — the day before early voting. It became an instant train wreck.”
The case is being handled in the 8th Circuit, which is based in Gainesville. St. Johns County is in the 7th Circuit, and that office recused itself, as did the 4th Circuit, which is centered around Jacksonville.
