Deputies arrested Charles Hunt on two counts of simple battery after an incident at an early voting location in World Golf Village, where State House candidate Dr. Diana Jordan-Baldwin says she was punched.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A man was taken into custody Tuesday following an alleged attack on a Florida State House candidate and her husband at an early voting site in St. Johns County.
Jordan-Baldwin, a candidate for the District 18 seat, said she got to the polling location around 6 a.m. to campaign outside when a man driving a black pickup truck began confronting her.
“I went to walk to my car, and this gentleman came flying in and he parked over here with a black pickup truck,” Jordan-Baldwin said.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Charles Hunt. According to Jordan-Baldwin, the encounter intensified after she attempted to move her vehicle and Hunt began shouting obscenities at her.
“He said, ‘You go to be a Dumb*** **** to walk by a car that’s moving,’ and I said ‘Excuse me?'” she said. “I got out my car.”
Jordan-Baldwin said the confrontation became even more personal when Hunt made remarks about her late husband, who died in 2012 while serving overseas with the U.S. Army.
“He said, ‘Your husband didn’t die, you a lying ****. He didn’t die in the line of duty,'” Jordan-Baldwin said. “I was like you don’t ever talk about him and discredit his service. He fought for the very land you’re standing on.”
Jordan-Baldwin said her current husband stepped between them in an attempt to stop the confrontation. She said Hunt went around her husband and punched her in the side of her face.
“He went around my husband and he punched me in this side of my face,” she said. “My husband went after him and they fought. He tumbled over, got up and hit my husband on the side of his head. He tried to kick me, too, and that was crazy, so it was very unnerving for me.”
Bystanders eventually intervened, Jordan-Baldwin said. She said Hunt then left in his truck, but witnesses recorded the vehicle and its tag.
St. Johns County deputies then responded to the location at 21 World Golf Place. Hunt was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a police report obtained by First Coast News, it states that Hunt “knowingly and intentionally engaged in a verbal altercation with the victims, which subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation. During the physical altercation, the defendant struck the female victim in the face and pushed her to the ground, against her will. The defendant struck the male victim on the left side of his head, against his will.”
The report goes on to say, “three witnesses were identified and interviewed, and all provided consistent statements that the defendant aggressed the female victim, the male victim placed himself between the defendant and the female victim, and the defendant struck both victims.”
Jordan-Baldwin said the incident has made her more cautious.
“We definitely have to protect ourselves, we have to be careful about surroundings,” she said.
“Political disagreements NEVER justify violence,” her campaign said in a social media post Tuesday. “Candidates should be able to speak with voters. Volunteers should be able to serve. Families should be able to participate in the democratic process without fearing for their safety.”
Jordan-Baldwin said Hunt had been at the polling location the previous day.
“Yesterday, he was here giving out these pamphlets that had six candidates on it saying St. Johns County Republican-endorsed candidates,” she said.
The incident comes as Jordan-Baldwin and Republican Kim Kendall compete for the District 18 Florida House seat.
Kendall condemned the incident in a statement:
“I was made aware this morning of a horrible situation that occurred at the World Golf Village polling location, where my opponent, Diana Jordan-Baldwin, was assaulted. None of my campaign team or I were present at world golf village today. I want to be absolutely clear: this is completely unacceptable. This is a horrible act and we condemn such behavior Our thoughts and prayers are with Diana Jordan-Baldwin.”
St. Johns County Republican Party Chairman Denver Cook also condemned the violence in a statement:
“The St. Johns County Republican Party is aware of reports regarding an alleged assault involving a primary candidate. We understand that the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) has taken a suspect into custody in connection with this incident.
Violence and intimidation have no place in our political process. The foundation of our Republic relies on the ability of citizens to seek public office, debate ideas, and engage with voters without fear for their physical safety. Regardless of the political context of a primary campaign, any act of violence against a candidate is an affront to our democratic values and will not be tolerated.
We are grateful to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for their swift professional response. We trust that the Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.
Our thoughts are with the candidate and their family during this time. We encourage all members of our party and the community to remain focused on the issues and conduct the remainder of this primary season with the mutual respect and civility our voters expect and deserve.”
“People saying our own party fighting against each other, I’m ashamed today,” said Jordan-Baldwin.
Despite the confrontation, she said she does not plan to stop campaigning.
“Although I was attacked here, please don’t let intimidation stop you from coming to vote,” she said.
Jordan-Baldwin said she plans to pursue a civil lawsuit.
First Coast News is working to obtain a copy of Hunt’s arrest report.
Early voting in St. Johns County ends on Saturday, Aug. 15, before the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
