From Sheila Sweeney of the Conservative Coalition of St. Johns County:
To The Editor:
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024 the Conservative Coalition of St. Johns County, LLC has taken action against the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee (REC) for falsely claiming that the voter guide published by the Conservative Coalition is “fake” or otherwise illegitimate.
In a cease-and-desist letter sent to Chairman Denver Cook and the Board members of the REC, the Conservative Coalition of St. Johns County, LLC asserts that these statements are not only false but also constitute a direct attack on the reputation and lawful operations of the organization.
The voter guide published by the Conservative Coalition of St. Johns County was developed in full compliance with all applicable Florida laws, including the disclaimer requirements outlined in Florida Statute §106.143. Any implication or outright claim that the voter guide is “fake” is a blatant lie and an attempt to mislead the public.
The cease-and-desist letter directs Chairman Denver Cook and the Board member of the REC to immediately cease and desist from making any further false statements about the legitimacy of the Conservative Coalition’s voter guide. They are also directed to remove all signage referring to the voter guide as “fake” from early voting locations, the REC Headquarters, social media, and email.
Failure to comply with the demands outlined in the cease-and-desist letter will result in legal action, including filing for injunctive relief, seeking damages for defamation, and pursuing any other legal remedies available under the law.
Sheila Sweeney
Manager
Conservative Coalition of St. Johns County
From Denver Cook, chair of the St. Johns County Republican Party:
To The Editor:
The Conservative Coalition of St Johns County, LLC. is registered with the Division of Corporations with an effective date of 06-19-2024. They are not registered as a committee, electioneering communications organization or political action committee.
Conservative Coalition of St Johns County, LLC. has not filed with Florida Division of Elections or with the St Johns County Supervisor of Elections. As a Florida LLC registered with Florida Division of Corporations (https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/), this organization is required to report any and all expenditures in support of candidate or candidates listed on the voter guide it is promoting in accordance with Chapter 106, Florida State Statute, and for US Senate and US Representatives with the Federal Election Commission.
As to the email I received from the Sheila Sweeney, the sole owner of the Conservative Coalition of St Johns County, LLC., asking the St Johns County Republican Executive Committee to cease and desist calling its organizational voter guide fake, I have responded. On August 14, 2024 I sent an email to the St Johns County Republican Executive Committee and have included that email with this response.
On the August 15, 2024 I drove to every early voting location to make sure that any sign NOT approved by or paid for by the St Johns County Republican Executive Committee was removed from our St Johns GOP tents. Neither I, nor the St Johns County Republican Executive Committee, were involved in design, printing or distribution of these signs and any claims of such are false and based upon rumor and/or inuendo.
Denver Cook
Chairman
St Johns County Republican Party
