Seven candidates are running for two seats on the Tallahassee City Commission in nonpartisan primaries on Aug. 20, 2024. Four lead in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention: incumbent Jacqueline Porter and Rudolph Ferguson in the election for Seat 1, and incumbent Curtis Richardson and Dorothy Inman-Johnson in the election for Seat 2.
According to the radio station WFSU, Mayor John Dailey and Commissioner Jeremy Matlow have been engaged in a “years-long feud…[involving] personal attacks in and out of city hall, as well as both backing candidates against each other’s political allies.” Tallahassee Reports describes Matlow as “the face and leader of the local progressive movement” and Dailey as having “pushed back on progressive proposals with a number of 3-2 votes.”
The election will determine which faction has majority control of the city commission. Dailey and political allies hold three of the five seats. Dailey endorsed Ferguson and Richardson. Matlow, who serves with Porter in the minority, endorsed Porter and Inman-Johnson.
A win for Porter and Inman-Johnson would give progressives a 3-2 majority on the commission, while a win for Ferguson and Richardson would expand the Dailey-aligned majority to 4-1. A mixed result would maintain the commission’s current 3-2 balance.
Porter, first elected in 2020, is a former state government employee and member of the commission’s progressive wing. Porter says she is running to bring change to Tallahassee: “We have a choice. Some people say our goals are too ambitious, but are our best ideas really just stadiums, car washes, and mattress stores?” Porter says she has protected taxpayers’ interests, including by voting against property tax increases three times.
Ferguson is a pastor and activist involved with anti-violence and youth advocacy movements. Ferguson says he is “known for his commitment to our community, forging connections with those who possess the power to bring about positive change.” Ferguson said Porter’s “tenure is marked by unfulfilled promises,” promising to “adopt an alternative approach that embraces inclusivity by bringing all stakeholders to the table and fostering coalitions.”
Richardson is a former state legislator who has served on the commission since 2014. Richardson is running on his record: “If you continue to entrust me to fight for you, we can ensure that Tallahassee remains an All-America city for years to come.” Richardson says crime is a priority: “I have personally felt the impact of the surging crime rates, which is why prioritizing public safety is paramount.”
Inman-Johnson is a former Tallahassee city commissioner, teacher, author, and city manager for the city of Midway, Florida. Inman-Johnson says she is returning to politics to “provide a fresh, more inclusive, perspective with a return to ethics, trust, transparency, and civility to the city commission.” Inman-Johnson is running on her record of service to the community including both government and nonprofit work.
Also running in the Seat 1 primary is Louis Dilbert. Also running in the Seat 2 primary are Donna Nyack and Bernard Stevens.
Tallahassee city commissioners are elected at large rather than representing districts. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, that candidate wins the election outright. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers advance to the November 5 general election.