Tallahassee City Commission candidate Dot Inman-Johnson’s campaign has acknowledged using the racially outdated term “Negroes” in a radio advertisement attacking incumbent Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox, raising questions about the campaign’s portrayal of Black elected officials as individuals who cannot make independent decisions.

The controversy emerged after the Inman-Johnson campaign aired a 30-second advertisement narrated by her husband, Lee Johnson.

The advertisement stated:

“For years, rich developers have placed Negroes in office to do what they want and now they got Dianne Williams-Cox.”

The advertisement then promoted Inman-Johnson as an alternative in the November 3 election for City Commission Seat 5.

Williams-Cox strongly criticized the advertisement.

“We should be bringing people together—not dividing them by race or using degrading language to win an election”, said Williams-Cox.

She also rejected the allegation that developers control her decisions.

“I have never been anyone’s puppet,” Williams-Cox said. “No developer, special interest, political group or individual tells me how to vote. My decisions are based on what I believe is best for the people of Tallahassee.”

The Use of “Negro”

The language raises two separate issues: the campaign’s decision to use a racial designation associated with the segregation era and its suggestion that Black elected officials are not independent representatives of their constituents.

The advertisement did not simply accuse Williams-Cox of supporting policies favored by local business interests. Instead, it placed her within a broader racial category of elected officials allegedly installed to take direction.

That framing carries an implication that Black officeholders lack political independence and exercise authority at the direction of others. The advertisement offered no specific evidence supporting its sweeping allegation about Black elected officials.

The campaign’s response to the radio ad also drew attention.

Lee Johnson acknowledged narrating the advertisement and confirmed that he had withdrawn it following complaints.

“I have pulled the radio ad in case some people got offended by the word ‘Negro,’ which is a name we were called back in the 50s and 60s,” Johnson told the Democrat.

His statement acknowledged the term’s association with the 1950s and 1960s, a period when Black Americans faced legally enforced racial segregation and widespread discrimination.

However, Johnson did not explain why the campaign selected that terminology or address the broader implication that Black elected officials are controlled by developers.

When asked why he used the word, Johnson declined further comment.

Inman-Johnson also declined to comment on the advertisement, according to the Democrat. Her husband told the newspaper, “She has no comment at all.”

The commercial included a disclaimer identifying Inman-Johnson’s campaign as its sponsor.

While criticism of developer influence is a legitimate political issue, the advertisement went further by suggesting that Black elected officials have historically been placed in office to follow the instructions of wealthy interests.

The Inman Johnson campaign has not publicly explained the basis for that allegation or why it chose to make race a central element of its attack on Williams-Cox.

The event, titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here,” will take place at The Moon, located at 1105 East Lafayette Street. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the speaking program scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The Tallahassee appearance is part of Sanders’ national tour focused on economic inequality, corporate influence in government and the concentration of wealth and political power.

According to Sanders’ official website, the tour is intended to generate discussions about challenging wealthy individuals and corporate interests that Sanders believes exercise excessive influence over American politics.

The Tallahassee event also comes at a significant time in local politics, with Nixon publicly supporting Matlow in his campaign against former state Senator Loranne Ausley for mayor.

Nixon, who represents a Jacksonville-area district in the Florida House, is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate after defeating Alex Vindman in the August Democratic primary.

In September, Nixon appeared in a campaign advertisement supporting Matlow alongside Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter and Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor.

“From Washington, D.C., to Tallahassee City Hall, change can’t wait,” Nixon said in the advertisement.

Matlow announced Nixon’s endorsement as part of a group of endorsements from elected officials supporting his mayoral campaign.

Nixon’s participation in the Sanders event highlights the connections between Tallahassee’s local progressive political movement and national progressive leaders.

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has been one of the nation’s most prominent advocates for democratic socialism, expanded government health care programs, higher taxes on wealthy Americans and increased regulation of large corporations.

Nixon has also been associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and has promoted policies emphasizing economic equality, expanded public services and greater government involvement in addressing affordability.

Sanders endorsed Nixon’s U.S. Senate campaign in August, praising her positions on health care, childcare and economic issues.

In accepting the endorsement, Nixon said government should serve working people rather than billionaires and corporations.

The Sanders-Nixon tour includes four Florida appearances over two days.

On Saturday, October 17, the two are scheduled to appear in Tampa and Melbourne. On Sunday, October 18, they will visit Gainesville before traveling to Tallahassee for the evening event.

The appearances come as Nixon campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Ashley Moody.

The timing of the Tallahassee rally is also noteworthy because early voting in Leon County begins October 19, the day after Sanders’ appearance.

The November 3 election includes the Tallahassee mayoral contest between Matlow and Ausley, along with two contested City Commission races.

Although Nixon has endorsed Matlow, the Sanders event is being promoted as part of his national political tour, not as an official Matlow campaign event. There has been no announcement that Matlow will participate in the speaking program or that Sanders has endorsed Matlow.

The event is open to the public, with attendees encouraged to RSVP through Sanders’ official website.

The forum was produced by the Capitol Region News Collaborative and the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee. Questioners included representatives from WTXL, the Tallahassee Democrat and the League of Women Voters.

Below is a condensed question-and-answer summary of the forum, with significant differences between the candidates highlighted.

How would your leadership differ from Commissioner Jeremy Matlow?

Tom Derzypolski: Said he would bring 25 years of executive and community leadership experience and emphasized his political independence. He said he is not aligned with other candidates and would work with whoever voters elect to move the city forward.

P.J. Perez: Emphasized his 16 years in public education and his family’s experience in both the public and private sectors. He said his priorities include neighborhoods, small businesses, environmental protection and opportunities for residents he believes have been overlooked.

Key Difference: Derzypolski framed the race around experience, independence and changing the governing culture at City Hall. Perez framed his candidacy around policy change and greater representation for neighborhoods and residents he believes have been underserved.

What is the main difference between you and your opponent?

Derzypolski: Experience. He pointed to 25 years of executive leadership, community relationships and experience addressing complex problems.

Perez: Perspective. He cited his career in education, his wife’s small business and his work with students and families.

Key Difference: Derzypolski argued that executive experience distinguishes him. Perez emphasized his public-education background and connection to working families.

Would you have supported the transfer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to FSU?

Perez: No. He supported an affiliation with FSU but opposed transferring the asset. He criticized the process and said alternatives proposed by residents were not adequately explored.

Derzypolski: Yes, with reservations. He supported bringing an academic medical center to Tallahassee but strongly criticized the process as predetermined and insufficiently transparent. He favored stronger local governance and participation by FAMU and Tallahassee State College.

Key Difference: This was one of the forum’s clearest policy differences. Derzypolski supported the ultimate TMH-FSU transaction despite concerns about the process. Perez opposed transferring the asset and preferred an affiliation that retained city ownership.

Would you have supported selling the Capital City Country Club property?

Derzypolski: No. He criticized selling city assets and described the transaction as a “fire sale.”

Perez: No. He argued the city should have retained the 178-acre property and considered financing maintenance through bonds. He also cited the historical significance of graves of enslaved people on the property.

Did you support the process used to hire the new city manager and the supermajority termination provision?

Perez: No. He said the city charter contemplates the manager serving at the pleasure of the commission and criticized requiring a supermajority to remove the manager.

Derzypolski: Opposed the contract provision but said the city ultimately hired a highly qualified manager. He attributed the controversy partly to the commission’s “toxic culture,” arguing threats to fire the manager prompted other commissioners to seek additional protections.

Key Difference: Both opposed the contract provision, but Perez focused on the charter and the structural problem with the supermajority requirement. Derzypolski placed the controversy within the broader context of dysfunction and mistrust among commissioners.

Do you support hyperscale data centers in Tallahassee?

Derzypolski: No, under current circumstances. He said too many questions remain concerning environmental effects, economic benefits, jobs and salaries.

Perez: No. He supports a moratorium, citing environmental concerns, water use, tax incentives and skepticism about promised job creation.

What is causing local gun violence, and what would you do about it?

Perez: Said young people lack opportunities and a sense of purpose. He advocated after-school music and arts programs, vocational training, Head Start and early intervention.

Derzypolski: Cited gangs, broken homes, struggling neighborhoods and limited economic opportunity. He called for better coordination among law enforcement, nonprofits and community organizations, along with neighborhood revitalization and economic development.

Key Difference: Perez placed greater emphasis on youth programs and early intervention, while Derzypolski emphasized coordination, neighborhood revitalization and economic opportunity.

Do you support Flock cameras and license-plate surveillance technology?

Derzypolski: Expressed serious reservations. He said law enforcement should have effective technology but only with strict oversight and protections for civil liberties.

Perez: Criticized the city’s handling of automated license-plate readers and warned that surveillance technology can be misused. He emphasized balancing public safety against civil liberties.

Should the city and county operate separate fire departments?

Perez: No. He said city and county leaders should repair their relationship and restore cooperation, with firefighters involved in developing a solution.

Derzypolski: No. He called separate systems unaffordable and said he would immediately work toward mediation and restoration of a joint approach.

Do you support the 287(g) agreement with ICE?

Derzypolski: No. He said it creates anxiety and makes the community less safe.

Perez: No. He characterized the arrangement as federal overreach and said residents should not be treated as enemies.

Both said they would have voted to sever the agreement even if doing so exposed them to possible action by the governor.

What has been Tallahassee’s biggest economic-development success of the past four years?

Derzypolski: Said he could not identify one and characterized local economic development as “anemic.”

Perez: Also said substantial work remains. He called for greater support of small businesses and better commercialization of research and innovation from FSU, FAMU and TSC.

How do residents perceive Tallahassee’s economy?

Perez: Said voters he encounters are primarily concerned about affordability—rent, utilities and household expenses—not City Hall’s political divisions. He linked affordability to his opposition to urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said residents are experiencing genuine financial pressure and sometimes must choose among food, gasoline and prescriptions. He proposed reducing city-controlled utility rates and fees where possible.

Key Difference: Both described an affordability problem, but Perez connected it more directly to development patterns and urban sprawl, while Derzypolski emphasized reducing government-controlled household costs and growing the economy.

How would you create higher-income jobs?

Derzypolski: Would leverage FSU, FAMU, TSC, Lively, the academic medical center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to attract private investment. He said government needs to operate at the “speed of business.”

Perez: Would use university research and student talent to develop commercially useful solutions to community problems, including water-quality challenges.

Key Difference: Derzypolski emphasized business recruitment and connecting private industry with Tallahassee’s existing institutions. Perez emphasized commercializing locally generated research and innovation.

What is Tallahassee’s most important environmental issue?

Perez: Water quality. He connected threats to water resources with urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure.

Derzypolski: Water quality. He warned about the influence of large national developers and advocated cooperation among environmental groups, neighborhoods and local builders.

Give examples of responsible and irresponsible growth.

Derzypolski: Pointed to urban infill and affordable housing in existing neighborhoods as responsible growth. He criticized development pushing farther away from the urban core because of infrastructure costs.

Perez: Cited the Tallahassee Lenders’ Consortium’s Community Land Trust as a positive model. He criticized the proposed Lake Jackson-area annexation and Welaunee-area expansion as examples of sprawl that shift infrastructure costs to taxpayers.

Key Difference: Both favor infill, but Perez was more explicit in opposing specific Northeast development and annexation projects. Derzypolski focused more broadly on the financial and infrastructure advantages of developing inside the existing urban area.

Who is responsible for the City Commission’s 3-2 divide and “toxic” culture?

Perez: Downplayed the significance of what he called “palace intrigue,” saying most residents are more concerned about affordability and responsive government. He said disagreement among commissioners can be part of a healthy governing body.

Derzypolski: Said dysfunction matters because it prevents progress on affordability, crime, environmental issues and growth. He said he would work to restore civility and collegiality.

Key Difference: This was a fundamental difference. Derzypolski views City Hall’s political dysfunction as a major problem requiring a change in leadership style. Perez argues the 3-2 narrative receives too much attention compared with residents’ economic and policy concerns.

Is Democratic Party involvement in the nonpartisan Seat 3 race appropriate?

The candidates were asked specifically about the Leon County Democratic Party, chaired by Ryan Ray, who also works as Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s aide, supporting Perez.

Derzypolski: Said voters want to move beyond partisan labels. He declined to make the ethical determination concerning Ray and Matlow himself.

Perez: Said party affiliation inevitably provides information to voters even in nonpartisan elections. He highlighted Derzypolski’s roughly two decades as a registered Republican.

Key Difference: Perez considers partisan history relevant information in a nominally nonpartisan election. Derzypolski argues the contest should be judged primarily on candidates, leadership and independence rather than party affiliation.

Is Republican criticism tying Perez to out-of-town socialists fair?

Perez: No. He dismissed such attacks as political “boogeymen” and “McCarthyism.”

Derzypolski: No. He rejected the attacks, said they did not help his campaign and called on people to stop them.

What does Derzypolski say about his former Republican registration?

Derzypolski: Said his voting history demonstrates independence, pointing to support for Democrats including Bill Montford, Allison Tant and Loranne Ausley. He said becoming NPA better reflected his political outlook.

Perez: Said voters should consider Derzypolski’s approximately 20 years as a Republican, including during Donald Trump’s presidencies. Perez said he consistently voted Democratic despite previously registering NPA.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays his former Republican registration as less important than his history of crossing party lines. Perez portrays the duration of Derzypolski’s Republican affiliation as relevant information about his political background.

What progressive position does Derzypolski hold?

Derzypolski: Said access to health care should be a basic right and also identified environmental protection.

Would Perez create a new progressive 3-2 voting bloc?

Perez: Said voters should judge his published policies rather than political labels and vote based on whether those policies reflect their values.

Derzypolski: Said party-based concerns are overrated in a nonpartisan election and emphasized his independence.

Key Difference: Perez defended the policies associated with his candidacy without distancing himself from the progressive coalition supporting him. Derzypolski made independence from political groups and voting blocs a central argument for his candidacy.

Name an issue where Perez disagrees with Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Perez: Said he had not studied Matlow’s complete eight-year voting record closely enough to identify a specific vote. He suggested affordable housing could be an area of difference, citing his support for a Montgomery County-style approach.

Key Difference: The exchange underscored one of Derzypolski’s broader campaign arguments: Perez did not identify a specific Matlow vote he opposed, while Derzypolski repeatedly presented himself as independent of the existing City Commission factions.

What about Derzypolski’s support from developers, builders and Chamber interests?

Derzypolski: Said his donor support reflects relationships and trust developed through 25 years of community service. He also pointed to support from retirees, veterans, teachers and environmentalists.

Perez: Said criticism is warranted to the extent those interests have influenced decisions that frustrate voters. He contrasted his individual donor base with contributions associated with business and development interests.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays business and development support as evidence of broad community trust. Perez portrays support from those interests as potentially tying a candidate to the same forces he believes have shaped City Hall decisions.

Does Perez bear responsibility for the fake Facebook operation targeting Talethia Edwards?

Perez: Said consultant Kris Estanga acted independently. Perez said he would not have made that decision but believes people make mistakes and deserve second chances.

Derzypolski: Said the incident may be history in terms of the news cycle but remains relevant from a leadership perspective. He questioned how such activity could occur within a campaign’s orbit without the candidate knowing.

Key Difference: Perez treats the incident as the independent mistake of a consultant and largely a closed matter. Derzypolski treats it as an ongoing question about leadership, campaign culture and accountability.

How would you reduce utility costs?

Perez: Proposed removing the fire-services fee from utility bills and replacing it with an assessment-based approach. He also questioned other fees appearing on utility bills.

Derzypolski: Promised to lower utility bills during his first year and cited reconnection and after-hours charges as examples of fees that could be reconsidered.

Key Difference: Perez proposed changing how major city services are financed. Derzypolski focused more heavily on reducing fees and other city-controlled costs charged directly to utility customers.

If you could do one thing to make housing more affordable, what would it be?

Derzypolski: Prioritized expedited permitting for urban infill to increase affordable housing supply in existing neighborhoods.

Perez: Proposed eliminating parking minimums, streamlining permitting, expanding community land trusts, legalizing “missing middle” housing and encouraging smaller starter homes.

Key Difference: Both support infill and additional housing supply, but Perez proposed broader zoning and housing-policy changes, while Derzypolski emphasized permitting reform and private-sector construction within existing neighborhoods.

Does increasing housing supply reduce prices?

Perez: Generally yes, but said the type of housing matters. He argued that building additional luxury student apartments does not necessarily address affordability for working families.

Derzypolski: Agreed that housing type matters and again emphasized urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

Do you support Amendment 3?

Derzypolski: No. He said it would shift power from local governments to the state and could create severe fiscal problems for cities and counties.

Perez: No. He likewise characterized it as an attack on home rule that could particularly hurt rural communities and reduce local government’s ability to provide services.

What would you do if Amendment 3 creates an $18 million annual city revenue loss?

Perez: Said he would target executive “bloat,” development subsidies, travel, licensing expenses and other spending while reviewing the budget line by line.

Derzypolski: Also advocated a line-by-line budget review. He argued that city revenues have expanded substantially and that government could return spending closer to previous levels while protecting public safety.

Key Difference: Perez identified particular programs and spending categories he would target, including development subsidies. Derzypolski made a broader fiscal argument that city government has expanded and should reduce overall spending toward earlier levels.

Do you support an across-the-board 4% employee raise?

Derzypolski: No. He prefers compensation based on employee performance.

Perez: Said across-the-board increases should incorporate merit-based standards.

Should the commission remove the 30-minute limit on off-agenda public comment?

Perez: Yes.

Derzypolski: Yes.

Who do you support for governor?

Both candidates said they planned to vote for David Jolly.

Who do you support for Tallahassee mayor?

Perez: Said he would vote for Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Derzypolski: Said he had not decided and would evaluate the candidates based on who could best serve Tallahassee. He said he was prepared to work with either candidate.

Key Difference: Perez explicitly backed Matlow, reinforcing his political alignment with the existing progressive coalition. Derzypolski declined to choose between the mayoral candidates and again emphasized his political independence.

Do you support city-county consolidation?

Derzypolski: No. He questioned whether consolidation produces sufficient savings to justify the disruption.

Perez: No. He similarly said the savings do not justify the complications involved.

Name a position held by your opponent that you respect.

Perez: Said he appreciates Derzypolski’s emphasis on concerns about urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said he agrees with Perez’s emphasis on urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

What should outside PACs supporting your candidacy do?

Perez: Said supporters do not need to tear down opponents and emphasized that candidates will remain neighbors after the election.

Derzypolski: Said he would publicly stand alongside Perez to reject false attacks against him and said dark-money and outside-money attacks have no place in his leadership.

How would you improve Tallahassee International Airport?

Derzypolski: Focused on costs, particularly parking, arguing that high airport expenses encourage residents and businesses to drive to competing airports.

Perez: Favored attracting more budget airlines and studying successful airport strategies in similarly sized communities.

Key Difference: Derzypolski focused on reducing the cost of using the existing airport, while Perez emphasized increasing airline competition and flight options.

Should StarMetro services be cut during a revenue shortfall?

Perez: Indicated no, describing public transportation as a public good rather than a profit-making enterprise.

Derzypolski: Did not advocate service cuts. Instead, he proposed restoring commercial advertising on buses to generate additional revenue.

Key Difference: Perez emphasized preserving transit because of its role as a public service. Derzypolski emphasized finding new revenue to help sustain the service without relying entirely on city funding.

What was each candidate’s closing argument?

Derzypolski: Presented himself as the independent and experienced candidate. He emphasized 25 years of executive and community leadership, bridge-building and his willingness to work with all commissioners. He said Tallahassee voters are looking for “independent thought and leadership.”

Perez: Presented himself as the change candidate. He argued Tallahassee needs a “clean break with the status quo” and criticized the influence of “monied interests.” He emphasized his grassroots campaign, affordable housing and government responsiveness to neighborhoods.

Key Difference: The closing statements captured the central contrast of the forum: Derzypolski argued that Tallahassee needs independent, experienced leadership capable of repairing a divided City Hall. Perez argued that Tallahassee needs a policy and political break from the existing power structure and development interests.

Provided below is a summary of answers to questions asked during the forum hosted by the media partners in the Capital Region News Collaborative, which includes Tallahassee Reports, and the League of Women Voters.

Are Tallahassee residents better off than four years ago?

Loranne Ausley: No. She said residents are angry and worried about the cost of groceries, gasoline and other necessities and are struggling to see how their circumstances can improve.

Jeremy Matlow: No. He pointed to high gasoline prices, Tallahassee’s roughly 25% poverty rate and the larger number of working residents struggling to make ends meet. He argued many residents do not believe government is looking out for their interests.

What is the clearest difference between you and your opponent?

Matlow: He described his candidacy as a break from the status quo, emphasizing grassroots support, opposition to “backroom deals,” developer influence and development he believes damages the environment.

Ausley: She identified three major differences: support for the Children’s Services Council, support for the TMH-FSU Health transaction despite concerns about the process, and differences in political leadership and culture. She criticized negative social-media tactics and anonymous political activity associated with people in Matlow’s political orbit.

Matlow response: He acknowledged opposing the Children’s Services Council tax while saying he supported creating a council.

What are your top two accomplishments?

Ausley: Securing state funding that helped begin the cleanup leading to Cascades Park and helping create Whole Child Leon, which she connected to the eventual creation of the Children’s Services Council.

Matlow: Adoption of Tallahassee’s clean-energy goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy and bringing greater scrutiny to City Hall spending, decision-making and alleged wrongdoing.

Is your opponent capable of serving as Tallahassee’s chief ambassador?

Matlow: Yes. He said both he and Ausley are capable of representing Tallahassee. He emphasized his lifelong connection to the community and experience building a business here.

Ausley: She said she is prepared for the ambassadorial role but questioned Matlow’s attendance at civic events, citing his absence from the opening of the new senior center.

Matlow response: He said commissioners are sometimes excluded from events, noted that he supported the senior center, and said his responsibilities as a small-business owner also affect his schedule.

TMH-FSU Health transaction

Matlow: Opposed. He criticized the process, questioned whether taxpayers received fair market value and argued there was insufficient accountability regarding what FSU would ultimately deliver.

Ausley: Supported. She criticized how the transaction was handled but argued that an academic medical center would improve health care, create better jobs and benefit Tallahassee.

Key difference: Matlow emphasized process, accountability and valuation; Ausley emphasized the expected long-term health-care and economic benefits.

Sale of the Capital City Country Club property

Ausley: Would have supported the sale. She emphasized preservation of green space and recognition of ceremonial burial grounds and argued that maintaining a golf course preserves open space.

Matlow: Opposed. He argued that valuable public property was sold for substantially less than its value and raised concerns about the investors behind the transaction.

Data-center moratorium/ban

Matlow: Supported restricting large-scale data centers, citing water consumption, electrical demand, environmental concerns, land availability and relatively limited employment benefits.

Ausley: Agreed with Matlow that Tallahassee does not need large data centers, citing land constraints and limited job creation.

Hiring the new city manager and requiring a supermajority for termination

Ausley: Said the incoming commission should have made the city-manager decision and opposed the supermajority termination provision.

Matlow: Also argued that the new commission should have selected the manager. He went further, calling the timing a violation of public trust and arguing that the supermajority provision conflicts with the City Charter.

What is driving gun violence, and what should the city do?

Matlow: Focused on reaching young people early, creating productive activities and employment opportunities, measuring the effectiveness of violence-prevention programs and addressing poverty.

Ausley: Also emphasized youth intervention and community engagement, citing cooperation among law enforcement, pastors and community organizations.

Are current police staffing levels sufficient?

Ausley: Generally yes, although she said the city should examine community policing and potentially different forms of police involvement.

Matlow: Essentially yes, provided staffing is sufficient for police to answer calls and meet the levels identified by the police chief.

Does participation in the 287(g) immigration program make Tallahassee safer?

Matlow: No. He argued it makes the community less safe and cited his observations of an ICE enforcement action.

Ausley: Her answer was less definitive. She said immigration enforcement is necessary but stressed fairness and questioned the appropriate role of local police.

Should the city and county operate separate fire departments?

Ausley: No. She called for the city and county to resolve their funding dispute and preserve a unified fire service.

Matlow: No. He likewise argued that the governments should resolve their differences and maintain a unified system.

Do you support Flock license-plate cameras?

Matlow: No. He characterized the system as mass surveillance and raised concerns about tracking residents and outside access to collected information.

Ausley: Said surveillance technology has advanced faster than government safeguards. She supported the pause or moratorium until adequate protections are established.

Key difference: Matlow expressed more categorical opposition; Ausley emphasized the need for safeguards.

Should school-zone speed cameras remain?

Matlow: No. He said he opposed the program from the beginning and favors traditional enforcement and street-design changes around schools.

Ausley: Initially said she was uncertain about the relationship between speed cameras and license-plate surveillance, but after the discussion said she would vote to end the program.

Campaign Conduct and Political Culture

Is it appropriate for Matlow aide Ryan Ray to simultaneously serve as local Democratic Party chairman?

Matlow: Said he does not attempt to control employees’ political activities and that his expectation is that his aide properly performs his city job.

When specifically asked whether he had asked Ray about posting anonymous comments, Matlow said that was not part of Ray’s city commission role.

Ausley: Used the issue to make a broader argument about anonymous social-media activity, fake accounts and what she described as the political culture surrounding Matlow.

What responsibility does Matlow bear for the fake Facebook controversy involving his former campaign manager?

Matlow: Said the activity was unrelated to his campaign and involved another City Commission race. He argued that investigating candidates’ backgrounds is a legitimate function of independent media.

Ausley: Said Matlow’s response was inadequate. She argued leaders are responsible for setting standards for their teams and tied the episode to broader concerns about anonymous attacks and political culture.

This was one of the forum’s clearest personal/leadership contrasts.

Why should voters trust Ausley despite significant support from developers and business interests?

Ausley: Said she has received contributions from people across the political and economic spectrum throughout her career and that contributions do not purchase her vote or influence.

How did Matlow respond to criticism about progressive or socialist-aligned outside support?

Matlow: Identified himself as a Democrat and said Republican criticism of his Democratic affiliations is expected. He said voters should judge him by his record and Democratic values.

Do you support Amendment 3?

Ausley: No. She warned that the measure could significantly reduce Tallahassee revenue and threaten funding for essential services.

Matlow: No, but for different reasons. He opposed state interference in local budgeting while arguing that Tallahassee itself needs to reduce spending. He said the amendment’s consequences would be manageable but could simply shift costs elsewhere.

What happens if Amendment 3 passes?

Matlow: Said essential services would be protected. He would target development subsidies and other spending before reducing core services.

Ausley: Said the city would need to examine the entire budget for waste, duplication and administrative overhead while protecting police, parks, housing and other essential services.

Key difference: Both call for spending scrutiny, but Matlow identifies developer subsidies and executive spending as specific targets; Ausley emphasizes a broader budget review.

Has city government been overspending?

Ausley: Said that is a legitimate concern and called for examining waste, duplication and administrative overhead.

Matlow: Yes. He cited executive salaries, raises and expensive government vehicles as examples of spending that should be scrutinized.

Utilities and Renewable Energy

How should Tallahassee address high utility bills?

Matlow: Proposed reducing development-related utility subsidies, examining utility taxes and lowering general-fund spending to reduce pressure on electric rates.

Ausley: Said affordability and infrastructure investment both need examination and pledged to make utility costs a mayoral priority, although she offered fewer specific measures.

Do you support Tallahassee’s 2050 clean-energy commitment even if it raises rates?

Ausley: Yes. She said the clean-energy commitment is important and could help Tallahassee recruit residents and businesses.

Matlow: Strongly supports renewable energy but rejected the premise that it necessarily requires higher rates. He argued renewable energy could provide greater price stability and potentially lower bills.

Key difference: Ausley explicitly accepted the clean-energy goal despite the possibility of higher rates; Matlow argued the transition itself can ultimately lower or stabilize costs.

Housing

If you could take one action to improve housing affordability, what would it be?

Matlow: Build 500 municipal housing units during his first four years, using city-owned land, resources and permitting authority.

Ausley: Coordinate existing housing organizations and combine federal, state and local resources through organizations such as the housing authority, community land trust and lenders consortium.

Clear philosophical difference: Matlow proposes direct municipal production of housing; Ausley proposes coordination and leveraging existing housing institutions and funding.

City Commission Dysfunction

Does Matlow bear responsibility for the 3-2 split?

Matlow: He defended his approach, saying voters elected him to challenge City Hall practices. He emphasized that commissioners agree on roughly 87% of votes and said the disputes concern consequential matters such as development, taxes, environmental protection and public assets.

Who is responsible for City Hall dysfunction?

Ausley: “Everybody.” She said political anger and social media have worsened divisions and argued the next mayor should rebuild relationships and search for common ground.

Major contrast: Matlow largely views conflict as a consequence of substantive disagreements that require confrontation; Ausley emphasizes leadership style, relationships and consensus-building.

Most important environmental issue?

Matlow: Climate-driven extreme weather and clear-cutting/development of forested areas.

Ausley: Framed development around three tests: whether it provides needed housing or jobs, whether infrastructure exists to support it, and whether it protects Tallahassee’s water, tree canopy and quality of life.

Example of good and bad development?

Matlow: Praised small-scale urban infill such as community-land-trust housing on Wallace Street. Criticized the Thomasville Road storage development.

Ausley: Also criticized the appearance of the Thomasville Road project but noted that it proceeded under existing regulations, suggesting the city should change those regulations if residents dislike the resulting development.

How should the city improve economic mobility?

Matlow: Reform permitting and make city government a “front door” for entrepreneurs, particularly smaller local businesses. He favors shifting economic development away from primarily recruiting large corporations toward helping residents start businesses and obtain capital.

Ausley: Focus on recruiting employers offering higher-wage jobs across a range of skill levels. She emphasized making City Hall easier for businesses to navigate and having the mayor actively promote Tallahassee.

How is the Office of Economic Vitality performing?

Matlow: Wants OEV to focus more heavily on startups, local businesses and business recruitment while moving away from subsidies he considers questionable.

Ausley: Said OEV is “not doing great,” although she did not blame its employees. She suggested structural reform so the organization operates at the “speed of business” rather than the “speed of government.”

Agreement: Both candidates favor substantial changes to OEV, although their preferred economic-development emphasis differs.

How can Tallahassee make its airport more competitive?

Ausley: Explore partnerships and incentives involving state government, FSU and other institutions, while acknowledging there is no easy solution.

Matlow: Increase demand for travel to Tallahassee through arts, culture, live music, tourism and private-sector economic development.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Matlow: Prioritize safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure when allocating Blueprint and transportation dollars rather than concentrating resources on new road construction supporting development.

Ausley: Improve connectivity and safety of pedestrian paths, bicycle infrastructure and public transit.

StarMetro

Ausley: Opposed service cuts and argued Tallahassee needs a transit system that is useful not only to transit-dependent residents but attractive to the broader population.

Matlow: Opposed service reductions and called for increasing ridership, citing environmental and financial benefits.

Should Tallahassee and Leon County consolidate?

Ausley: No. She said she would vote against the consolidation straw poll while supporting cooperation and existing consolidated services.

Matlow: No. He characterized the proposal as effectively a county takeover of the city but said city-county cooperation should improve.

This finding comes as candidate Inman-Johnson criticizes the current city commission and her opponent Dianne Williams-Cox for development decisions.

Early Morning Vote

At approximately 1 a.m. on September 6, 1990, Inman-Johnson, then serving as Commissioner Dorothy Inman-Crews, joined Mayor Steve Meisburg and Commissioners Jack McClean and Debbie Lightsey in a 4-1 vote to annex more than 6,000 acres of Welaunee Plantation into the City of Tallahassee.

The city also sought to include the property in the Urban Services Area, establishing the framework for extending urban infrastructure and accommodating future development on the massive northeast Tallahassee property.

Commissioner Bob Hightower cast the lone dissenting vote. “I don’t think it’s good planning to go this far out,” Hightower told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I think it’s fiction to look at this and say we’re going to plan what happens out there for the next 20 years.”

Citizens Debate Welaunee Proposal

The commission’s action followed significant public debate at an August 29 public hearing preceding the final vote. The commission ultimately approved the annexation during a late-night meeting that extended into the early morning hours.

The Welaunee proposal also carried a significant financial component. According to an August 29, 1990 Tallahassee Democrat report, the city and Welaunee Plantation’s owners negotiated an agreement under which the city could provide between $3 million and $9 million in rebates associated with construction of water and sewer lines serving the property.

The combination of annexation, expansion of the Urban Services Area and extension of water and sewer infrastructure provided the governmental framework necessary for eventual urban development of Welaunee.

A Campaign Issue

During her campaign for city commission, Inman-Johnson has ignored her previous support for development projects like Welaunee. Instead, she has been critical of the Canopy development, which was made possible with her support of the Welaunee annexation and the urban services expansion.

Also, during a 2024 candidate forum, Inman-Johnson said she would have voted against Blueprint’s Northeast Gateway project, arguing that its benefits were too far in the future and that more infrastructure dollars should instead be directed to Tallahassee’s southside.

Ironically, these positions are consistent with the central theme of the progressive slate of city commission candidates during this election cycle. The progressives are critical of what they call urban sprawl and developer subsidies. Two issues which were supported by the votes of Inman-Johnson.

Competing for an open seat on the commission, both first-time candidates pitched themselves as practical problem-solvers capable of moving past political dysfunction, even as they detailed differing visions for economic development, city budget priorities, and local government transparency.

Growth, Urban Sprawl, and the Local Economy

Perez, a veteran high school teacher of 16 years, framed his platform around curbing suburban sprawl and highlighting Tallahassee’s distinct cultural identity. Drawing on post-World War II development metrics like “value per acre,” Perez warned that extending city infrastructure into outer fringes creates long-term debt burdens for future generations.

Perez criticized generic developments like vape shops and car washes, urging the city to instead commercialize research from Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida State University (FSU), and Tallahassee State College (TSC) to retain young professionals. Furthermore, Perez voiced strong opposition to committing municipal tax dollars for roads, water, and sewer infrastructure in distant developments like the proposed Wani project.

Derzypolski, a Navy veteran and longtime local business owner with 25 years of civic involvement, countered with a plan focused on regional collaboration, infill development, and creating a business-friendly environment. Derzypolski advocated incentivizing housing growth within the urban core inside Capital Circle to revitalize neglected neighborhoods, reduce crime, and meet affordable housing demands without taking on speculative suburban debt. He stressed that local government must change its mindset from “no” to “how can we make this work,” pointing to target sectors such as academic medical development, medical technology, and workforce training partnerships to drive high-wage career growth.

Party Affiliations and Independent Leadership

With neither candidate having previously held public office, both spent significant time explaining recent shifts in their political party registrations.

Derzypolski recently changed his registration from Republican to No Party Affiliation (NPA). Recounting his enlistment in the Navy at 18 and his past votes for family members like former State Senator Bill Montford, Derzypolski explained that growing frustration with national partisan rhetoric led him to align as an NPA. He rejected accusations from opponents labeling him a “MAGA-aligned” candidate, insisting local voters are thirsty for independent, level-headed leadership that evaluates projects on merit rather than party lines.

Perez, who previously registered as an NPA to keep political ideology out of his high school classroom, recently re-registered as a Democrat. He explained that the shift was a pragmatic move to signal his core values to voters in a broad electorate where direct conversation with every citizen is impossible. Responding to questions regarding external progressive group endorsements, Perez emphasized that his campaign is rooted in local issues detailed transparently on his website.

Fiscal Stewardship, Amendment 3, and Utility Rates

Fiscal management stood out as a sharp point of consensus and debate, particularly regarding Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 property tax measure. Both candidates declared their opposition to the amendment, warning that it would strip local decision-making authority and severely slash municipal revenues.

If state property tax cuts pass, Perez proposed trimming bloated executive salaries and eliminating administrative redundancies while protecting public safety at all costs. On energy policy, Perez resisted automatic electric rate hikes for renewables, advocating creative alternatives such as rooftop solar, net metering, neighborhood agrivoltaics, and localized microgrids to preserve grid resiliency.

Derzypolski warned that revenue losses from Amendment 3 would threaten essential quality-of-life programs, including parks, libraries, and performing arts. He firmly opposed raising utility rates to accelerate renewable energy transitions, citing the immediate financial strain on working families struggling with everyday grocery and prescription costs.

Governance, Transparency, and Community Priorities

Both candidates expressed strong dissatisfaction with the process behind the City Commission’s recent appointment of new City Manager. Perez criticized the selection process and her $317,000 starting salary with a $1,000 monthly car allowance as tone-deaf during an affordability crisis. Derzypolski agreed the compensation package was overly generous for a starting figure, arguing that future raises should be strictly tied to performance metrics, though he emphasized that she deserves a fair shot to execute the commission’s direction.

When asked about allegations concerning fake social media accounts operated by city staff, Perez dismissed the controversy as “keyboard warrior” distraction that fails to reflect the daily concerns of working families. Derzypolski called for transparent, courageous leadership, stating that city staff should never engage in divisive behavior on taxpayer time.

The NEBA straw poll of its members was won by Derzypolski who received 95% of the vote while Perez garnered 5%.

Minor, who has represented District 3 since 2018, is seeking a third four-year term on the County Commission. Lorch, a Tallahassee business owner and first-time candidate for public office, is challenging the incumbent in the Nov. 3 election. The County Commission contest is nonpartisan and will be decided by voters who live in District 3.

The hour-long forum was held at WFSU’s studios and was sponsored by the Tallahassee Democrat, WFSU, the League of Women Voters and media partners participating in the Capital Region News Collaborative.

The Candidates

Minor was first elected to the District 3 seat in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Before joining the commission, he served as CEO of Second Harvest of the Big Bend and as chief of staff in the Tallahassee Mayor’s Office. He also previously worked as a business and information technology consultant.

Minor holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. During his eight years on the commission, his stated priorities have included economic development, crime reduction, environmental protection and improvements to northwest Leon County, including the North Monroe corridor, Tharpe Street and the Lake Jackson Greenway. He previously served as chairman of the County Commission.

Lorch, a Tallahassee native, is making his first run for elected office. He has owned a local video production business for approximately 20 years. His campaign biography says he was born and raised in Tallahassee, attended Leon High School and has raised his family in the community. His campaign has emphasized controlling property taxes and government spending, encouraging economic growth and protecting established neighborhoods.

The race offers voters a choice between an incumbent pointing to eight years of county initiatives and a challenger arguing that District 3 needs a different approach to spending and economic development.

Fiscal Policy: Taxes, Budgets and Rising Costs

Fiscal policy provided one of the clearest differences between the candidates.

Lorch advocated tighter fiscal management and questioned the growth in county spending. He argued that county government should look for opportunities to reduce spending and consider the rollback property-tax rate while protecting essential services.

Lorch said he doesn’t support Amendment 3 but was critical of recent county spending, noting that that over the past three years, the county’s budget has increased nearly 30%.

Minor countered that increases in county spending have been driven in part by higher costs for employee health benefits, construction materials and other operating expenses. He argued that reducing revenues to the levels proposed by Lorch could require cuts to county services.

The disagreement reflects a broader theme in the race: Lorch has made limiting government spending, and property taxes a central part of his campaign, while Minor has defended county investments and argued that some spending increases are necessary to maintain services and accommodate growth.

Economic Development: Amazon and Small Businesses

Economically, Lorch says the people of District 3 aren’t?doing any better than they were four years ago. He claims the economic state of the community is in decline.??Lorch said more jobs related to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have not materialized years after they were discussed.

“We can talk about a lot of metrics, but when you drive down Monroe Street, I think the windshield test is the best test,” he said. “I wouldn’t feel safe having my family walk down Monroe Street, so I think it speaks for itself.”

Minor disagreed, touting efforts by the commission to bring new businesses and more jobs to the area. He said crime is down, along with homelessness. “We need to focus on making sure that we help our workforce develop or find jobs, high-paying jobs for the workforce. But things are markedly better in District 3 and throughout the county.”

Minor also pointed to the recruitment of large employers, including Amazon, as evidence that long-term economic-development planning can expand the local employment base and generate additional commercial tax revenue. He argued that major economic-development projects often require planning over periods of 10 to 20 years.

Lorch placed greater emphasis on creating an environment where existing businesses and entrepreneurs can expand. He has argued that the private sector should be given more room to drive economic growth, with county government concentrating on core responsibilities such as infrastructure, public safety and environmental protection.

Blueprint Infrastructure

The allocation of Blueprint infrastructure sales-tax dollars was another point of disagreement.

Minor pointed to millions of dollars in county and Blueprint investments in District 3, arguing that projects involving roads, parks and other infrastructure demonstrate progress during his tenure.

Lorch questioned whether northwest Leon County and District 3 have received an adequate share of infrastructure investment, highlighting issues with Tharpe Street. He argued that long-standing needs in the district should receive greater priority and raised concerns about the pace at which some projects move from planning to completion.

Infrastructure is particularly significant in the District 3 race because the district encompasses much of northwest Leon County, where transportation, redevelopment and growth issues have been recurring topics before county government.

In the post, Matlow did not explain the details of his proposal and has not responded to our request for specifics.

The post stated, “The utility bills are way too high. Part of that is record heat waves, part of it is global energy instability and the remainder is local government. Let’s get the taxes off of the utility bill and get to work lowering utility costs for everyone.”

In the video accompanying the post, Matlow states the first thing we do is “get the taxes off the utility bill.” He references the fire services fee and the stormwater fee.

The 2026 operating expenses for the Fire Services Fund are $65 million, and the Stormwater Fund expenses are $25 million.

During the video, Matlow never explains how the fees will be collected when moved off of the utility bill. However, a commenter asks a question about the proposal, “in property taxes? Or receive a separate bill?”

Matlow responds, “property taxes.”

Moving approximately $90 million in fees to property tax bills means that property owners will subsidize the services for non-property owners and non-profit property owners. All of these residents are currently required to pay the fees.

Complicating the issue is Matlow’s campaign proposal to cut property taxes.

How do you make property taxes responsible for millions more in new spending obligations and cut property taxes?

We have asked Commissioner Matlow this question and will report his answer if and when he responds.

The event will be held at the Capital City Country Club, with lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the candidate forum scheduled to begin at noon, according to NEBA.

Derzypolski and Perez emerged from a crowded six-candidate primary for the seat currently held by Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who is giving up the position to run for mayor.

Perez finished first in the Aug. 18 primary, receiving approximately 29% of the vote. Derzypolski secured the second runoff position following one of the closest local election contests in recent years. After machine and manual recounts, Derzypolski finished just 15 votes ahead of third-place candidate Talethia Edwards.

The two candidates have offered contrasting perspectives on several issues facing City Hall. During the primary campaign, Derzypolski, a local business owner and registered no-party-affiliation voter, emphasized fiscal responsibility, public safety and a less divisive approach to city government. Perez, a registered Democrat and former teacher, has called for changes in city priorities and has been more critical of the city’s current direction and management. Tallahassee municipal elections are officially nonpartisan.

The Sept. 22 forum comes as the candidates move into the final weeks of a campaign that could have a significant impact on the balance of power at City Hall. Seat 3 has been represented by Matlow since 2018, and the race is one of several city contests headed to the Nov. 3 general election.

NEBA regularly hosts forums featuring elected officials, candidates and community leaders, with an emphasis on issues affecting local businesses and the Tallahassee economy.

According to records obtained by TR, James McAllister submitted two separate requests to the Orlando Police Department seeking information concerning Edwards and a July 4, 2024 incident.

The first request, submitted April 28, 2026, sought “documentation and body camera footage” related to a traffic stop involving Edwards.

A second request, submitted July 8, sought records concerning Edwards’ claim that she received an apology from the Orlando mayor’s office and parking enforcement following a parking citation and vehicle towing.

The records establish that McAllister sought the Edwards information months before the fake Facebook controversy became public. However, the documents obtained by TR do not establish why McAllister requested the information, whether anyone asked him to obtain it, whom he shared it with, or whether his requests had any connection to the Facebook page.

The identity of the requester nevertheless adds information to the public record surrounding a political controversy that erupted during Tallahassee’s 2026 city elections.

Information involving Edwards surfaced through a Facebook page that presented itself as a conservative political operation. The page was subsequently linked to the campaign of mayoral candidate and City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Matlow campaign manager Kris Estanga ultimately took responsibility for the operation and resigned from the campaign. Estanga said she acted independently.

The Orlando records obtained by TR do not show that Matlow, Estanga, P.J. Perez, Ryan Ray or anyone associated with their campaigns directed McAllister to request the Edwards records. Nor do the documents show that McAllister provided the records to Estanga or anyone involved with the Facebook page.

McAllister’s Political Connections

Campaign finance information compiled by TR shows McAllister contributed to both Matlow and City Commission candidate P.J. Perez during the same general period in which the Edwards records were being requested.

McAllister gave Matlow $500 on April 30 — two days after his first Orlando Police Department request — and another $440 on May 29.

He also made several contributions to Perez, including $500 on May 7, $190 on May 13 and $1,000 on Aug. 21. McAllister also gave $300 to the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee.

James McAllister’s wife, Cassie, contributed $2,000 to Perez during the primary and general election cycle.

Estanga also served as Perez’s campaign manager.

McAllister has also written for Florida New Signal, a political news website founded by Ryan Ray, a longtime Matlow aide and chairman of the Leon County Democratic Party.

Material reviewed by TR lists three McAllister articles published by Florida New Signal during the campaign season, including a July 29 article titled “Right-Wing Money Targets Jeremy Matlow in Mayor’s Race.” Other articles addressed judicial politics and candidate-related controversies.

These documented political relationships provide additional context about McAllister’s involvement in local politics but do not, by themselves, establish a connection between his Orlando records requests and the fake Facebook operation.

A Timeline of Records and Political Activity

The timing of McAllister’s records requests overlaps with his political contributions and writing during the 2026 campaign.

McAllister made his first Edwards records request on April 28. Two days later, campaign finance records show he contributed $500 to Matlow.

His second request was submitted July 8. Later that month, Florida New Signal published his article concerning outside political spending in the mayor’s race.

Those dates establish that McAllister was researching Edwards-related matters while also participating in Tallahassee politics through campaign contributions and political writing.

What the documents do not establish is a link between those activities. TR has found no record showing that McAllister obtained the Edwards information at the request of Estanga, Matlow, Perez, Ray or anyone associated with the Facebook page. The records reviewed by TR also do not establish that McAllister provided the information he obtained to any of those individuals.

Unanswered Questions

The public records do not explain why McAllister sought the Edwards records or what he did with the information after receiving it.

Tallahassee Reports asked McAllister if he was involved with the “Fake” Facebook controversy. McAllister declined to answer TR’s questions.

As a result, the purpose of McAllister’s records requests and what happened to the information after he obtained it remain unknown. The documents establish that McAllister sought Edwards-related records from the Orlando Police Department before the fake Facebook controversy became public. They also establish his campaign contributions and political activities described above.

The meet, held Sept. 2 at Maclay, saw the Marauders finish comfortably ahead of both opponents in all three team competitions.

Maclay’s girls finished first with 529 points, well ahead of Lincoln’s 184 and Rickards’ 89. The Marauders’ 345-point margin over Lincoln highlighted the strength of their performance across the girls’ events.

The boys’ competition followed a similar pattern. Maclay scored 597 points to take first place, while Lincoln finished second with 299 and Rickards scored 95. Maclay’s 298-point advantage over Lincoln gave the Marauders another decisive team victory.

When the boys and girls scores were combined, Maclay finished with 1,126 points to lead the overall standings. Lincoln placed second with 483 points, while Rickards finished third with 184.

Maclay’s combined score gave the Marauders a 643-point advantage over Lincoln and a 942-point margin over Rickards.

Individual Results

Boys

On the boys side, Maclay was led by several strong individual performances. William Chen won the 50-yard freestyle in 22.30 seconds, edging Rickards’ Alexander Li, who finished second in 23.21. Chen also took third in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:02.94. Brennan Abatecola added two individual victories for the Marauders, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.35 and the 100-yard freestyle in 51.45. David Paquette also posted a pair of wins, taking the 500-yard freestyle in 5:01.54 and the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:12.56.

Rickards’ Li also turned in a strong meet, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 57.98 seconds and finishing runner-up in the 50 freestyle. Lincoln’s Case Moore provided two of the Railsplitters’ top individual finishes, placing third in the 50 freestyle in 24.30 and second in the 100 backstroke in 1:00.74. Lincoln’s Liam Pender also earned a win in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing in 1:07.86.

Girls

Maclay also dominated the individual events on the girls side, with Olivia Holt leading the way. Holt won both the 200-yard freestyle, finishing in 2:10.86, and the 200-yard individual medley in 2:23.44. Katherine Johnson added a win in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:08.26 and finished second in the 500 freestyle at 6:12.43, just behind teammate Emmie Sutton, who won the event in 6:11.61.

Maclay’s Molly Lambert picked up two individual victories as well, winning the 50-yard freestyle in 28.12 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 1:02.54. Eliza Horton also won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:20.59 and finished second in the 200 IM at 2:37.84. Rickards’ MJ Calder broke up Maclay’s sweep in the 50 freestyle, finishing second in 28.61, while Chloe Wilcox earned second in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200 IM.

Team standings

Girls

1. Maclay — 529
2. Lincoln — 184
3. Rickards — 89

Boys

1. Maclay — 597
2. Lincoln — 299
3. Rickards — 95

Combined

1. Maclay — 1,126
2. Lincoln — 483
3. Rickards — 184

With both the boys and girls teams taking first place, Maclay swept the team competitions at its home meet.

Following the Aug. 18 primary, Perez sent voters a text describing Derzypolski as a “longtime right-wing Republican” who is “out of step with Tallahassee’s values,” according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Derzypolski was registered as a Republican for most of his adult life before changing his registration to no-party affiliation in August 2025. Perez also changed his registration shortly before entering the race. After spending much of his adult life registered NPA, Perez registered as a Democrat on Aug. 11, 2025, one day before filing to run.

Perez told the Democrat the change was intended to send voters a political “signal.”

“It’s just a reflection of my values,” Perez said. “You’re just signaling to voters this is what you’re getting when you pull the lever.”

The partisan attack, however, raises an interesting policy question because Perez is a social studies teacher at Tallahassee Collegiate Academy (TCA), a public charter high school whose creation resulted directly from a DeSantis administration initiative.

DeSantis Initiative Created TCA

In 2022, DeSantis announced an initiative encouraging state colleges to establish charter high schools emphasizing workforce education and STEM programs.

Tallahassee Community College, now Tallahassee State College, was selected as one of five colleges participating in the initiative and received $2 million to establish a charter school. TSC President Jim Murdaugh later said the college was grateful that DeSantis selected it for the program.

The Florida Department of Education subsequently approved TCC as Florida’s first college charter-school authorizer. Tallahassee Collegiate Academy opened in August 2023 as a tuition-free STEM charter high school.

TSC records also show substantial state investment continued after TCA’s creation. In 2023, Murdaugh identified a $1.6 million state appropriation for the charter-school program.

Perez previously spent 12 years teaching at SAIL High School, part of Leon County Schools, before moving to TCA.

That employment does not mean Perez endorses DeSantis, Republican education policies or even Florida’s broader charter-school movement. Teachers routinely work within institutions without endorsing the political decisions that created or fund them.

But Perez’s Republican-focused campaign strategy makes the distinction relevant.

Leon Democrats Have Warned About Funding Leaving Traditional Public Schools

The partisan debate over the City Commission Seat 3 race also intersects with positions previously taken by Ryan Ray and the Leon County Democratic Party on public education.

Ray, who serves as chairman of the Leon County Democratic Party and as an aide to City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, has been a vocal critic of Republican education policies that expand alternatives to traditional public schools.

In September 2023, Ray wrote on the Leon Democrats’ official website about a debate with the chairman of the Leon County Republican Party. In describing the Democratic position on education, Ray said Tallahassee should “fight back against extreme experiments in privatizing our public schools” and said Democrats needed to “protect public education” from what he described as far-right influence.

Ray has also identified Florida’s expansion of school vouchers as an important partisan issue. During the 2024 campaign against Republican state Sen. Corey Simon, Ray said he expected Simon’s sponsorship of the state’s universal school-voucher legislation to be a major issue for Democrats. Democrats argued that the expansion of vouchers diverted billions of dollars toward alternatives to traditional public schools.

Party Label or Policy?

The issue is not whether working at TCA makes Perez a Republican. It plainly does not.

The more substantive question is whether Republican affiliation itself should be a major consideration in a nonpartisan City Commission election—or whether candidates should instead be judged on the particular policies they support.

Derzypolski has argued for the latter, saying the campaign should focus on local issues rather than partisan labels.

Perez’s employment at TCA provides a useful example of why that distinction matters.

A Republican administration created a charter-school program. TCA emerged from it. Perez left an LCS school to teach there. And by all indications, TCA is providing an educational option that hundreds of area families have chosen.

None of that invalidates Perez’s criticism of Republican policies he opposes.

But if Republican politics are going to be central to his case against Derzypolski, voters could reasonably ask Perez to move beyond the party label and identify which Republican policies he believes are objectionable—and which ones, like the policy that helped create the school where he teaches, may have produced worthwhile results.