St. Johns County Commission Chair Clay Murphy and Vice Chair Ann Taylor wrote to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week asking him to suspend Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst, who have been charged with misdemeanors in a fake voter guide scandal from 2024.
The letter, which was dated July 23, stated that a vote of no confidence was taken at the County Commission meeting on July 21.
“We write to request you exercise your authority under Article IV Section 7 of the Florida Constitution to suspend Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst from office pending resolution of the criminal charges filed against them on July 6, 2026, in the Seventh Judicial Circuit,” the letter said.
“Both commissioners face first degree misdemeanor charges related to an unauthorized voter guide and the distribution of misleading campaign mailers during the 2024 primary election. In a vote of 3–2, this board approved a vote of no confidence in both commissioners and to request their suspension.
“We stand ready to provide any additional information your office may require.”
Taylor told the St. Augustine Record via email that she think public trust has been shattered.
“The Commission is tasked with making decisions that impact the daily lives, the taxes, and the future of every resident in St. Johns County,” she wrote. “To do that requires the absolute trust of the public.”
Taylor said that because Arnold and Whitehurst are facing criminal conspiracy and unauthorized voter guide charges, they can’t govern effectively.
“This county cannot be held hostage by their legal defense,” she said.
Investigators allege that between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, 2024, political consultant Brianna Jordan and her employee, Jamie Johnson, “coordinated and conspired” with Arnold, Whitehurst and then-St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell to distribute fake voter guides bearing the name of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee without permission.
According to court documents, the “fraudulent voter guides” used the name, logo, and likeness of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee.
The affidavit also said that the candidates listed were not the candidates officially endorsed by the SJREC. Also, the required election law disclaimers identifying who paid for or produced the guides were omitted. The affidavit says the SJREC endorsed one slate of candidates in June 2024, but voters later received mailers promoting a different slate that appeared to come from the local GOP.
Arraignments are scheduled for Aug. 3.
According to Florida Politics, the charges were filed by 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer. The state attorneys in 7th Circuit, which includes St. Johns County, and the 4th Circuit recused themselves.
Murphy, Arnold and Whitehurst did not reply to a request for a statement from the St. Augustine Record.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Murphy and Taylor ask DeSantis to remove Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst from office
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record | USA TODAY Network
