St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst, political consultant Briana Jordan, and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Dylan Rumrell have been charged in a criminal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute a fake voter guide that misrepresented the St. Johns Republican Executive Committee’s endorsement, according to the indictment filed in 2026. The alleged guide, which used the party’s branding without required disclosure, listed multiple candidates while omitting the name of the group that paid for it, the indictment says. The charges include conspiracy to create an unauthorized voter guide in violation of Florida Statutes 106.1436 and 777.04, a misdemeanor of the first degree punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 per month, and a conspiracy charge classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Jordan also faces a count of tampering with evidence under Florida Statute 918.13, a third-degree felony if convicted. Arnold, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021, was not on the ballot and is not seeking re‑election. Whitehurst defeated a party‑endorsed opponent in 2024 and will remain in office until 2028. Rumrell ran unopposed in 2024 and will serve until 2028. The legal team representing the accused officials declined to comment, stating they would have no further remarks at this time, according to Bachman Galnor Communications. Ann‑Marie Evans, who lost to Whitehurst in 2024, said she was “appalled and shocked” about the mailer, remarks made to First Coast News in 2022, and the party’s chair, Evan Power, said the state election crimes unit has handled the case and that the party takes its branding seriously. St. Johns County GOP Chair Denver Cook, traveling with his family, said he will comment when able, referencing remarks made to ABC News in 2024 that described the scheme as a “flagrant fraud on voters” the day before early voting. The case is being prosecuted in the 8th Circuit; the 7th and 4th circuits have recused themselves. Politicians facing criminal charges may be suspended at the Governor’s discretion, though no suspension has been announced. The matter remains unresolved.