ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The delicate dance of St. Johns County politics has officially received its latest criminal choreography.

Two sitting St. Johns County commissioners and a former St. Augustine Beach mayor have been formally charged in connection with an alleged fake Republican voter guide that apparently ruffled more than a few feathers during the 2024 primary election. Because, in Florida, even your electoral advice might need a fact-check.

The charges, filed on July 6 by the 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, name five individuals: Brianna Jordan, Sarah Arnold, Jamie Lynn Johnson, Dylan Rumrell, and Christian Whitehurst. For those keeping score at home, that’s County Commissioner Arnold (District 2), County Commissioner Whitehurst (District 1), and St. Augustine Beach Commissioner (and former Mayor) Rumrell.

Apparently, claiming to be the GOP without actual GOP authorization is a no-no.

The heart of the matter? Mailers that popped up in August 2024, just before early voting kicked off, allegedly masquerading as official St. Johns County Republican Party voter guides. The catch? They didn't list the actual party-endorsed candidates. Instead, they listed opponents. And in the high-stakes world of local Republican primaries, that's a move that goes beyond mere suggestion.

John Bachman, a spokesman for the legal representation of Whitehurst, Arnold, and Rumrell, stated that these “allegations have lingered for nearly two years.” Now that formal charges are filed, his clients are looking forward to the “conclusion of this matter” and, predictably, "will have no further comments at this time." Because nothing says confidence like a swift exit from the commentary stage.

Brianna Jordan, who served as campaign manager for several 2024 GOP primary campaigns (including Whitehurst’s), is facing the most serious accusations with three counts: felony tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy, and unauthorized voter guide. Her bond? A cool $12,000. Meanwhile, Arnold, Johnson, Rumrell, and Whitehurst are looking at misdemeanor charges of conspiracy and unauthorized voter guide.

Whitehurst, for his part, narrowly defeated Ann-Marie Evans in the 2024 County Commission race, who was the *actual* GOP-endorsed candidate but allegedly got the short end of the stick on the disputed guide.

Local officials stressed that the alleged guide was presented without the all-important written authorization and/or required disclosures under Florida law. It’s almost as if rules exist for a reason.

And while the court documents are surprisingly light on details—like who paid for, created, or mailed these covert election tools, or how many voters were blessed with their wisdom—it’s clear this drama isn't going away quietly.

The case was even referred outside the local prosecutor’s office, because sometimes a political hot potato is too hot for even the local potatoes to handle.

Local Lion will be watching, popcorn in hand, because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that here in St. Johns County, politics is never dull, it’s just occasionally felonious now.