Election Day: Jeremy Matlow wins Tallahassee mayor’s race as Loranne Ausley concedes, WCTV reports; Leon County’s consolidation question trails in unofficial results

L2Who’s affected

Who is affected: Tallahassee residents and City Hall. WFSU described Matlow as having "been part of the minority progressive faction at city hall for years," and Ausley, "a former state senator," as "a Democratic moderate who disagrees with Matlow’s opposition on issues like the merger."

L3Why it’s quiet

Why it stayed quiet: A city race decided on a night dominated by national governor, Senate and House calls. In our check, only Tallahassee outlets (WCTV, Fox 49, WFSU) covered it, and none of the 13 major U.S. outlets.

L4Deeper impact

Deeper impact: WFSU had named two City Commission candidates "in his progressive coalition: PJ Perez and Dot Inman-Johnson." In unofficial Fox 49 results (Fox 49 results page "Updated Tue, November 3, 2026 at 9:23 PM" ET, read 9:37 PM ET), P.J. Perez leads Tom Derzypolski in Seat 3, 64.05% (43,639) to 35.95% (24,489); we saw no call in that race. In Seat 5, "WCTV projects Dianne Williams-Cox as the winner"; Fox 49 shows Williams-Cox 51.87% (34,641), Dot Inman-Johnson 48.13% (32,149).

L5Full context

Full context: In the August primary, "Matlow took the biggest chunk of the vote in the primaries, with 36% support. Ausley took nearly 34% of the vote" (WFSU). At a Capital City Tiger Bay forum reported by WFSU on Oct. 28, Matlow said "there is no legal mandate for the city of Tallahassee to enter a 287 (g) agreement" and "We have a city with a 25% poverty rate," and said the city "lost a city asset valued at over $500 million, sold for pennies on the dollar for $100 million" in the FSU/TMH deal. Ausley said: "I am really proud to have the endorsement of the Police Benefit Association."

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