A Florida political consultant has been arrested in connection with an alleged fake Republican voter guide scheme in St. Johns County.
Brianna Jordan faces charges of conspiracy, producing an unauthorized voter guide, and tampering with physical evidence. Four other people, including two sitting St. Johns County commissioners and a former St. Augustine Beach mayor, were also charged.
The charges are allegations. The defendants have not been convicted in the case.
The Guide Allegedly Used Local GOP Branding
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Charging documents say the voter guide was presented as an official publication of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee, also known as the St. Johns GOP Republican Party.
Prosecutors allege the guide used the party’s name, logo, and likeness without written authorization. It also allegedly failed to include legally required language identifying who created or paid for the material.
Jacksonville Today reported that FDLE investigators said the guide copied the official Republican voter guide’s logo but reversed the color scheme, changing it from white lettering on a red background to red lettering on a white background.
The Endorsements Allegedly Did Not Match the Party’s Slate
The disputed guide allegedly listed endorsements that did not match the official endorsements of the local Republican committee.
According to reports on the charging documents, the guide indicated that the party had endorsed incumbents Christian Whitehurst, Henry Dean, and Roy Alaimo, even though the local party had endorsed different candidates in key races.
Investigators allege the guide was created to look like an official Republican Party voter guide while promoting a different slate of candidates.
Investigators Describe a Campaign-House Mailing Operation
The voter guides were allegedly assembled at a rented home in St. Augustine that was being used as a campaign headquarters.
News4JAX reported that charging documents described the operation as a “secret envelope stuffing” event. People working under Jordan’s direction allegedly placed the guides into envelopes, applied labels, and prepared them for mailing.
The envelopes allegedly had no return addresses and used postage stamps. Prosecutors say the guides were mailed in early August 2024, before the Republican primary election.
The mailings were allegedly sent from Jacksonville and Orlando. Investigators allege the use of multiple mailing locations was part of an effort to conceal where the guides came from.
The Felony Charge Centers on Destroyed Evidence
Jordan is the only defendant facing a felony charge. Prosecutors allege she altered, destroyed, concealed, or removed voter guides while knowing an investigation was pending or about to begin.
According to reports on the charging documents, investigators alleged some unmailed guides were burned after media coverage of the controversy began.
They also cited records showing contact with shredding services.
Five People Were Charged
The defendants are Jordan, Jamie Johnson, St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold, St. Johns County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, and Dylan Rumrell, a St. Augustine Beach commissioner and former mayor. All five face misdemeanor charges of conspiracy and producing an unauthorized voter guide.
Jordan also faces the third-degree felony tampering charge. Her bond was set at $12,000, including $10,000 for the tampering count and $1,000 each for the two misdemeanor counts.
Attorneys representing Arnold, Whitehurst, and Rumrell told News4JAX that the allegations had lingered for nearly two years and that their clients looked forward to the conclusion of the matter.
The Case Was Reassigned After Recusals
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handled the investigation.
News4JAX reported that the case is being prosecuted by the 8th Judicial Circuit after the 7th Circuit, which covers St. Johns County, and the 4th Circuit, which covers Jacksonville, recused themselves.
Arraignments are scheduled for Aug. 3.
Voters Should Check Who Actually Paid for a Mailer
Voters can check the disclaimer line on mailers, compare endorsements with the official party or campaign website, and confirm voter guides through a local party office, candidate campaign, or county elections office before relying on them.
Warning signs include missing “paid for by” language, no return address, branding that closely resembles an official party guide, endorsements that conflict with official announcements, and mailers that arrive shortly before voting begins with no clear sponsor.
Anyone who receives a suspicious voter guide should save the mailer, envelope, postmark, photos, screenshots, and any related texts or emails. Suspected unauthorized election materials can be reported to the local supervisor of elections, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections, or law enforcement if there are signs of forgery, impersonation, or evidence destruction.