2026 Tallahassee mayoral election
August 18, 2026 (primary election)
November 3, 2026 (runoff) | |||
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The 2026 Tallahassee mayoral election will take place on August 18, 2026 to elect the next mayor of Tallahassee with a runoff election on November 3, 2026, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.[1] Incumbent Mayor John E. Dailey, who was first elected in 2018, has announced he will not seek re-election.
Candidates
Declared
- Loranne Ausley, former state senator from the 3rd district (2020–2022)[2]
- Jeremy Matlow, city commissioner (Democratic)[3]
- Daryl Parks, attorney and candidate for Florida's 3rd Senate district in 2024 (Democratic)[4]
Publicly expressed interest
- Gwen Graham, former Assistant Secretary of Education (2021–2025), former U.S. representative from Florida's 2nd congressional district (2015–2017), daughter of former governor Bob Graham, and candidate for governor in 2018[5]
- Al Lawson, former U.S. representative from Florida's 5th congressional district (2017–2023)[5]
Potential
- Bill Montford, former state senator from the 3rd district (2010–2020)[5]
Disqualified
- Camron Cooper, state employee[6]
Declined
- Christian Caban, Leon County commissioner (running for re-election)[7]
- John E. Dailey, incumbent Mayor[8]
- Rick Minor, Leon County commissioner[5] (running for re-election)[9]
References
- ^ "Dates and Deadlines". Leon County Supervisor of Elections. 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Call, James (22 September 2025). "It's official: Loranne Ausley enters 2026 Tallahassee mayoral race". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ Bulecza, Jade (August 11, 2025). "UPDATE: Tallahassee mayor won't seek re-election, Commissioner announces candidacy". WCTV. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Hatter, Lynn (18 September 2025). "Local attorney Daryl Parks has joined the race for Tallahassee mayor". WFSU-TV.
- ^ a b c d Call, James (August 26, 2025). "'Definitely considering it': Ausley, Graham, Lawson buzz swirls in 2026 Tallahassee mayor race". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Otero, Arianna (September 4, 2025). "After Tallahassee commission vote, Camron 'Justice' Cooper blocked from mayor's race". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ Burlew, Jeff (18 September 2025). "Tallahassee mayor race: Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban rules out 2026 campaign". Tallahassee Democrat. Archived from the original on 18 September 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Hoffmann, Matt; Maynard, Chasity (August 11, 2025). "'Not a forever job': Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey announces he will not seek re-election". WTXL-TV. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Otero, Arianna (10 October 2025). "Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor files for reelection". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites