Incumbent Jacqueline Porter won the nonpartisan primary for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 1 outright on Aug. 20, 2024. Incumbent Curtis Richardson and Dorothy Inman-Johnson advanced to the general election on Nov. 5, 2024, for Seat 2.

Seven candidates ran for two seats on the Tallahassee City Commission in nonpartisan primaries on Aug. 20, 2024. Four led in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention: Porter and Rudolph Ferguson in the election for Seat 1, and Richardson and Inman-Johnson in the election for Seat 2.

The election had the potential to determine majority control of the city commission. Mayor John Dailey and political allies held three of the five seats. Dailey endorsed Ferguson and Richardson. Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who served with Porter in the minority, endorsed Porter and Inman-Johnson.

According to the radio station WFSU, Dailey and Matlow had 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 described 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.”

A win for Porter and Inman-Johnson would have given progressives a 3-2 majority on the commission, while a win for Ferguson and Richardson would have expanded the Dailey-aligned majority to 4-1. A mixed result would have maintained the commission’s pre-election 3-2 balance.

With Porter’s re-election to Seat 1 outright in the Aug. 20 primary, control of the commission will be determined by the Nov. 5 general election between Richardson and Inman-Johnson for Seat 2. A win for Richardson would preserve the commission’s pre-election 3-2 Dailey-aligned majority. A win for Inman-Johnson would give the progressive faction a 3-2 majority.

Porter, first elected in 2020, was a former state government employee and member of the commission’s progressive wing. Porter said she was 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 said she had protected taxpayers’ interests, including by voting against property tax increases three times.

Ferguson was, at the time of the election, a pastor and activist involved with anti-violence and youth advocacy movements. Ferguson said he was “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 was a former state legislator who had served on the commission since 2014. Richardson ran 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 said crime was a priority: “I have personally felt the impact of the surging crime rates, which is why prioritizing public safety is paramount.”

Inman-Johnson was a former Tallahassee city commissioner, teacher, author, and city manager for the city of Midway, Florida. Inman-Johnson said she was 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 ran on her record of service to the community including both government and nonprofit work.

Also running in the Seat 1 primary was Louis Dilbert. Also running in the Seat 2 primary were Donna Nyack and Bernard Stevens.

Tallahassee city commissioners were, as of 2024, elected at large rather than representing districts. If one candidate had received more than 50% of the vote, that candidate would have won the election outright. If no candidate had received more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers would have advanced to the Nov. 5 general election.