Just days after Joe Kalicki suspended his campaign for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5 while alluding to strategic reasons for the exit, Dot Inman-Johnson has now entered the race.
In the 2024 election cycle, Inman-Johnson took on Commissioner Curtis Richardson. Richardson won reelection, capturing 50.71% of the general election vote with Inman-Johnson receiving 49.29% of vote.
Like Kalicki, Inman-Johnson is part of the Tallahassee progressive movement led by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.
“I’m not willing to let Dianne Williams-Cox be re-elected without a meaningful challenge. City Hall is in disarray; it’s clear we are going to need stability and ethical leadership in Seat 5 to guide our City through this interim period,” said Inman-Johnson. “I’m willing to serve one term and make sure the transition is successful.”
In addition to Dianne Williams-Cox, the seat 5 race also includes candidates Tifany Hill and Bernard Stevens.
The news release from the campaign is below;
TALLAHASSEE, FL— Dot is back.
Dot Inman-Johnson filed to run for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5 to challenge Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox.
“I’m not willing to let Dianne Williams-Cox be re-elected without a meaningful challenge. City Hall is in disarray; it’s clear we are going to need stability and ethical leadership in Seat 5 to guide our City through this interim period,” said Inman-Johnson. “I’m willing to serve one term and make sure the transition is successful.”
Inman-Johnson cites the hostile state government takeover of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, reckless selloff of Capital City County Club, questionable administration of the Fire Services Fee and chronic City Hall self-dealing, with political insiders benefitting themselves by sitting on local government boards in her decision to run.
The announcement comes as embattled City Manager Reese Goad abruptly resigns leaving a void in responsible leadership to appoint his successor.
Dot Inman-Johnson served honorably as Mayor and City Commissioner, building consensus from neighborhoods and business interests alike. A historic figure in Tallahassee politics, Inman-Johnson was the first Black woman to serve as Mayor and gave the Key to the City to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks.
A proven vote getter, she received 40,856 votes against incumbent Curtis Richardson last November and 15,791 votes in a first-place August primary result, for a total 56,647 ballots cast for Inman-Johnson in the most recent City elections.
“I have advocated and navigated high stakes community issues that divided our community like the coal plant, and helped guide the creation of Kleman Plaza downtown development that now bears my name at Dot Inman-Johnson Park.”
Since 2024 Dot has remained in the spotlight leading the fight against what she cites as an illegal tax in the way the Fire Service Fee is administered.
“We need to move forward with engaged neighborhoods, a responsible business community, leaders unwilling to blur ethical lines, and most of all the restored trust of everyday Tallahassee residents,” she added.
“I have the expertise to bring stable, ethical leadership during this transition to get our house back in order,” concluded Inman-Johnson.
Dot’s official campaign operations will launch the week of May 18, when she will be available for media interviews.
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