For the first time in more than a decade, Tallahassee voters will choose a new mayor without an incumbent on the ballot, setting the stage for a contest that could reshape both the city’s leadership and its political culture.
Former state senator Loranne Ausley, businessman Michael Shawn Foust, City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, and attorney Daryl Parks are vying to succeed Mayor John Dailey, who opted not to seek another term.
The race comes after years of increasingly sharp divisions on the Tallahassee City Commission, where public clashes among elected officials have led many residents and civic leaders to describe the atmosphere as toxic.
With four candidates offering different visions for the also a referendum on whether Tallahassee can reset the tone of local government and move beyond the political rancor that has defined recent years.
Provided below is a summary of positions taken by the candidates on several important issues during the various political forums.
TMH Deal, Country Club Sale, & Tone at City Hall
The four candidates offered contrasting views on some of the city’s most consequential recent decisions while agreeing that restoring trust and a more productive tone at City Hall will be a central challenge for the next administration.
During a forum, the candidates discussed the transfer of TMH hospital assets to FSU atmosphere among city com missioners.
The candidates’ views on TMH reflected one of the sharpest divides in the race. Ausley and Parks voiced support for the partnership with health care, attract investment and create high-paying jobs. Ausley described the agreement as a rare opportunity to position Tallahassee as a regional medical hub.
Foust also supported the partnership, but criticized the way the agreement was handled, saying residents deserved a more transparent process and greater public discussion before such a significant decision was made.
Matlow remained the most critical of the deal, arguing the city moved too quickly in transferring a valuable public asset without ensuring taxpayers received the best possible outcome. He has continued to question the transparency and terms of the agreement.
The candidates also differed on the city’s acquisition of Capital City Country Club. Matlow opposed the purchase, saying the city should prioritize other needs, including infrastructure and essential services. Foust raised concerns about the financial implicat
ions and whether the investment represented the best use of public funds. Ausley and Parks were more supportive, pointing to the potential recreational, environmental and community benefits of preserving the property for public use.
Beyond individual policy debates, the candidates acknowledged that the tone of city government has become a major issue in the mayor’s race. The current commission has been marked by public disagreements and personal clashes, creating what some residents have described as a toxic political environment.
Parks made restoring civility a centerpiece of his campaign, saying Tallahassee needs leadership focused on bringing people together and finding common ground. Ausley emphasized collaboration and the need for commissioners to work as a team to address challenges facing the city.
Foust said the city needs a more professional and business like approach to decision making, while Matlow defended his willingness to challenge the status quo, arguing that disagreement and account ability are necessary parts of government.
With Mayor John Dailey choosing not to seek another term, the 2026 election gives voters an opportunity to choose a new direction for City Hall — not only on major policy questions, but also on how local leaders work together.
Blueprint Projects and Infrastructure
A sharp divide emerged over the Airport Gateway project. Jeremy Matlow advocated for shutting down the project, arguing it has ballooned to nearly $200 million and created “luxury roadways” while existing neighborhoods lack basic sidewalks and suffer from flooding.
Daryl Parks disagreed “greatly,” stating that jobs should be the top priority and that projects like the Airport Gateway and Welaunee represent essential opportunities for employment.
Michael Foust suggested prioritizing infrastructure repairs on the Southside.
The 287(g) Agreement with ICE
The agreement between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities was a “lightning rod” issue:
Jeremy Matlow advocated for repealing the agreement, stating it is not in the local budget to perform federal immigration enforcement.
Daryl Parks and Michael Foust were in favor of keeping the agreement;
Parks supported police enforcing the law, and Foust argued for educating the public to understand it better.
Lorrane Ausley expressed a “great deal of concern” regarding the agreement but emphasized that immigration is primarily a federal issue.
City Employee Pay Raises
The candidates differed on the implementation of a proposed 4% across-the-board raise for city employees. Loranne Ausley and Michael Foust both supported the across-the-board raise for all public sector workers.
Jeremy Matlow opposed raises for employees making over $150,000 a year, citing an “extreme imbalance” in pay.
Daryl Parks opposed a blanket raise, suggesting the city should instead prioritize specific departments based on their needs and history.
City-County Consolidation
Regarding a straw poll on exploring government consolidation, Michael Foust was the only candidate to vote “yes,” arguing that it could be done correctly despite past failures.
Ausley, Matlow, and Parks all voted “no,” citing the history of failed attempts and the need for better cooperation rather than full consolidation.
Leadership and the “Three to-Two” Divide
The candidates also differed on the cause of the current City Commission’s fractured 3-2 voting bloc. Matlow characterized the divide as a necessary struggle against policies like raising taxes or selling public land to billionaires. Conversely, Parks and Ausley emphasized a lack of civility and bridge-building as the root cause, while Foust attributed the issue to “political infighting”.
During one forum, the candidates were asked to provide a letter grade for the current mayor’s tenure. Michael Foust gave the mayor a B plus, describing him as “solid” and “overall a good mayor,” though he noted the mayor could be more public facing.
Jeremy Matlow gave the mayor an F, arguing that the city is not moving in the right direction and citing “mismanagement” and poor treatment of other elected officials as reasons for the failing grade.
Daryl Parks and Loranne Ausley both refused to give a specific letter grade. Parks stated the mayor had done a “fairly good job” but needed to address crime. Ausley acknowledged that while “amazing things” occurred during his tenure, many citizens feel “left out” and “unheard”.
Property Taxes
All three candidates opposed a statewide amendment to phase out most non-school home stead property taxes, with Matlow warning it would raise costs for renters and business owners.
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