Brian Welch Wins County Commission District 4, Unseats Longtime Commissioner Bryan Desloge

In a surprising turn on election night, Brian Welch won the Leon County Commission District 4 race, unseating longtime Commissioner Bryan Desloge. As of the most recent reports, Welch received 56.87% of the vote, and Desloge received 43.13%.

Welch, a social studies teacher at Chiles High School, focused his campaign on representing residents of Northeast Tallahassee. Following his victory, he thanked the residents of the area.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity and just want to make sure I do right by everybody,” he said. “I’m grateful and humbled and look forward to representing our interests going forward.”

Welch said he was surprised by the large margin of his win.

“I think that the results kind of speak for themselves,” he said. “Obviously the folks out here were ready for a change, and I’m humbled and honored to be able to represent them.”

He also addressed the people who did not vote for him, expressing that he wants to serve the interests of everyone in the district.

“There are 50,000 people in District Four, and as far as I’m concerned, I represent all 50,000 of them,” he said. “The folks that didn’t vote for me, their issues are just as important as the people who did vote for me.”

“If you live in Northeast Tallahassee, then I’m your County Commissioner, and I want to make sure that I serve your interests as well as I can,” he continued.

He said his top priority once he takes office will be slowing down the Welaunee Northeast Gateway project and making sure Northeast Tallahassee voices are heard.

“I want to make sure that we’re doing that the right way,” he said. “I want to make sure that the citizens that are going to be impacted by that development, by that expenditure of tax dollars, are getting their money’s worth.”

Welch will take office Nov. 17, the second Tuesday after the election.