Mayor John Dailey has had a change of heart and tells TR he will not seek re-election. He provided TR with an official statement, provided below.
Dailey stated that “elected office should not be a forever job, so today I am formally announcing that I will not be seeking re-election.”
Early in 2025, the assumption among local politicos was that Dailey would not run for re-election. However, about a month ago, Dailey called some supporters and said he had decided to seek another term.
However, in an exclusive interview with TR, Dailey cited time with family as one of the major factors in his decision not to run and said he thought it was time “to turn the page.”
In his formal statement Dailey stated, “It is time to turn the page and for the voters of Tallahassee to choose a new Mayor to continue the incredible progress we have made over the last eight years.”
The decision, which began to leak last week, comes on the same day that City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow has formally filed paperwork to run for mayor. Some Dailey supporters feel that Matlow was waiting for Dailey to announce his intentions before committing to run for mayor.
TR has been told that announcements by potential candidates related to Matlow’s current seat – which will be open in 2026 – could be coming as soon as Tuesday.
Mayor John Dailey’s Statement
Nearly twenty years ago, I was honored to be elected to the Leon County Commission. Since that day, first as a County Commissioner and now as your Mayor, I have given my heart and my soul to our community that I am blessed to call home. Together, we have accomplished some amazing things. This journey has been the honor of a lifetime, and I cannot thank the citizens of Tallahassee enough for allowing me the honor of serving.
But elected office should not be a forever job, so today I am formally announcing that I will not be seeking re-election. It is time to turn the page and for the voters of Tallahassee to choose a new Mayor to continue the incredible progress we have made over the last eight years.
The City of Tallahassee has an amazing, award-winning staff with nationally recognized accomplishments from maintaining our status as having the best parks in America to having the BEST run public utility in the nation. To each and every person in the city government who works tirelessly to serve our public, I recognize that none of what we have accomplished would have been possible without your commitment to excellence. To each of you, I will forever remain grateful for your service. And to the entire Tallahassee community, thank you for your trust over the last two decades.
I look forward to serving as the Mayor of Tallahassee for the final year of my term.
Florida cities are losing their home rule power anyway, may soon be losing property tax revenue as well. SB-180 is a doozy for developers -Changes coming to Tallahassee rather you want it or not.
I wonder if Tallahassee is actually ready for change in leadership, or will we head in the direction of many cities in America. Can’t believe in 2026 the issues are the same as 2016.
Mr. Slate made him a better offer to come back to the quarry, Yabba Dabba DOO!
could be. will never know
What's Dailey's legacy? No real movement on crime, economy, downtown development. Population stagnant if not dropping. The Dailey Decade gave us nothing but higher taxes and new urinals at Doak.
Matlow, in a 'head to head' with Dailey would have been a death sentence for Matlow.
Matlow wasnt waiting on Daily. He was planning for a head to head. Caban a much easier opp