Campaign documents indicate that an influential member of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Sally Bradshaw, made significant donations to City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s mayoral campaign during a time when TMH and Florida State University were negotiating a deal to create an academic medical center in the Tallahassee.
Matlow has been a vocal critic of the proposed deal from the beginning despite polling that indicates broad support for a change to the local healthcare delivery system. A Sachs Media poll found nearly 60% of Leon County residents believe the quality of care at TMH would improve under FSU Health leadership.
Campaign Donations
Campaign records show Bradshaw, a Florida company controlled by Bradshaw, and her husband donated a total of $3,000 to Matlow’s mayoral campaign on August 14, 2025.
It is not unusual to see interested parties donate to politicians during debates over controversial issues, however, the timing of this donation by a high level TMH official to Matlow’s mayoral campaign during sensitive negotiations is noteworthy.
Bradshaw, in her capacity as Board Chair, TMH Inc., sent a letter to city manager Reese Goad back in March when news of a potential sale of city-owned hospital assets became public.
In addition, Bradshaw has spoken at city commission meetings representing TMH.
Matlow Continues to Criticize Deal
Matlow has been a vocal critic of the proposed deal from the beginning. He has accused individuals of unethical behavior and corrupt tactics, singling out Mayor John Dailey and Goad.
After a negotiated deal and a signed Memorandum of Understanding was announced between the parties in the middle of September, Matlow stated:
“This coerced “deal” is a non-starter for the people of Tallahassee. Any conversations that involve “transferring” a billion-dollar asset to the State for anything below market value is a smash-and-grab display of political power.”
On October 22, 2025, the city commission voted 3-2 (Matlow, Porter voted no) to hold another public hearing after addressing the MOU and other issues. During the meeting, Matlow continued to oppose the agreement and accused Goad of improperly dealing with vendors related to the evaluation of city-owned hospital assets.
TMH Board Member Donates to Matlow Campaign During TMH-FSU Negotiations added by Steve Stewart on
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WTFox it’s no secret that both Jeremy Matlow and the Bradshaws are low level developers for their businesses and continue to skirt the local development regulations they themselves force on everyone else in the voice of the neighborhoods. classic ‘for thee not for me’. there’s your financial benefit. They’ll blame anything and anyone except for all the rules they put in place. Heaven forbid someone talks about a new or different way of doing things. Hopefully FSUHealth happens despite them.
The question that has not been addressed is whether or not any members of the TMH board are receiving special benefits, confidential access to city commissioners or staff, or any form of compensation for their “volunteer’ work as board members. The public needs to know if Ms. Bradshaw or her husband will benefit financially if the transfer of ownership to FSU fails. If so, her ethical judgment would be in question. If no benefit to her would occur, the question of her donation is irrelevant.
A number of these comments are incredibly misinformed and ignorant. Instead of listening to “spokespersons” or “sources”, why not go right to the source? Research the TMH Board for one, and their compensation package (hint: it’s less than zero, because they donate their time and expertise). Also, research the community -based care that is slated to disappear with the change. Like your ER services? Reference Shands for a taste of what will come when emergency services have been sidelined or eliminated. I’m not as concerned with the asset loss as much as I am with the decisions made by unelected officials behind closed doors. I’m constantly at odds with both Matlow and Porter-and I think their opposition is correct, but not a materially sound argument in my opinion-but this smells.
Once again, you can follow the money, and it doesn’t point to a VOLUNTEER board of directors, who are an advisement group.
Mrs. Bradshaw is the owner of Midtown Reader in midtown Tallahassee. Maybe do some research instead of spouting off with some of the idiotic comments posted here.
@ Arthur: ~ This, “stick it to the liberals” mentality or rush to close a deal are going to shoot conservatives in the foot!
What? There isn’t a so-called conservative or republican sitting in any elected office in the City or the County. So exactly how is this a “stick it to the liberals” issue?
Are you actually talking about a “liberals sticking it to the progressives” matter?
Matlow is right.
She doesn’t want Tallahassee to change cause she benefits the way things are. With her at the helm. When midtown lost millions in investment, where was she? Now the hospital could get an injection of millions and where is she? You will know her by the trail of dead potential. I don’t know how nice or smart she is she seems to be a real smart nice lady. That’s irrelevant – she is a power player that fears change and loss of status. Matlow is her tool to maintain status quo.
Ms. Bradshaw is smart and highly experienced I wouldn’t rush to conclusions.
Here’s the real issue, and why I believe Porter and Matlow are correct. There is no plan! Everything discussed is speculation and what people would “like” to have happen. Sach’s survey says 60% *believe* healthcare *might* improve. So what if it doesn’t? So what if more time would give “We the People” a better deal with guarantees and safeguards? What if there were simply success markers to know if change is succeeding or failing? I’ve watched with great intent. I would LOVE for there to be a better option than Shands! I would LOVE for this area to be less a medical desert! And NONE discussed gives me ANY reassurance the three Commissioners in the majority have shown ANY forethought! This, “stick it to the liberals” mentality or rush to close a deal are going to shoot conservatives in the foot! This FSU / TMH makes no sense in it’s current iteration. I wish conservatives would THINK much more deeply about this proposal. THE KING HAS NO PANTS! (If you don’t get the reference, look it up)
To Steve Stewart and Preston Scott, you gentlemen are smarter than this. I gave you much more credit than the two of you deserve. Start looking past the rhetoric and ego. You wanna lead? Get “We the People” a better deal!
Good post, Bob. They say that “all politics is local”. It would appear that “all pollical corruption” may be local as well.
When the same TMH board blocking progress is writing campaign checks to their political allies at the City Commission, it’s not strategy — it’s sabotage. Sally Bradshaw just made it crystal clear: control matters more than care.
Great reportingTR.
Check and see if the TMH Board Members were required to read and sign a Conflict of Interest Agreement.
If not, shame on TMH.
If yes, then Ms Bradshaw has some explaining to do.
During the $27 million stadium debate and public hearings, FSU officials were writing $1000 checks to supportive commissioners at warp speed. Let’s not slice the baloney quite so thinly.
She knows she stands to get professionally sidelined if this deal gets the ascent. Then she becomes just one of a whole bunch of other landowners with decentralized portfolios. Welcome back to the rest of us.
Can you say, potential “Conflict of Interest”? It appears that someone might be looking to purchase policy. Then again, it could just be an ill-informed move.
“Bradshaw, in her capacity as Board Chair, TMH Inc., sent a letter to city manager Reese Goad back in March when news of a potential sale of city-owned hospital assets became public.”
Can someone make a Public Records Request to see exactly what that letter to the City Manager said? It might just give a clear understanding of her position and intent.
Is Sally a member of Capital City Country Club too?
Either she really likes Jeremy Matlow or she’s payin’ to play. Jeremy might be the least likeable guy in Tallahassee, so I’m betting it’s the latter.