The 2026 Tallahassee mayoral election took place on August 18, 2026, to elect the mayor of Tallahassee, Florida. As no candidate received a majority of the vote, a runoff election will take place November 3. Incumbent mayor John E. Dailey, who was first elected in 2018, has announced he will not seek re-election.
First round
Candidates
Declared Loranne Ausley, former state senator from the 3rd district (2020–2022) (Democratic) Michael Foust, IT entrepreneur (Republican) Jeremy Matlow, city commissioner (Democratic) Daryl Parks, attorney and nominee for Florida's 3rd Senate district in 2024 (Democratic)
Disqualified Camron Cooper, state employee
Declined Christian Caban, Leon County commissioner (running for re-election) John E. Dailey, incumbent mayor Rick Minor, Leon County commissioner (running for re-election)
Endorsements
Forums A candidate forum was held by the Tallahassee African American Local Election Review Team on March 6, 2026. Foust, Matlow and Parks attended, with Ausley unable to do so due to other commitments.
Another candidate forum was held on June 23, 2026. The forum was livestreamed on WFSU and was held by the Tallahassee Democrat, the Capital Region News Collaborative, and the League of Women Voters. All candidates attended.
Polling +Poll SourceDate(s) AdministeredSample SizeMargin of ErrorLoranne AusleyMichael FoustJeremy MatlowDaryl ParksUndecidedSt. Pete PollsJuly 19–20, 2026345 (LV)± 5.3%29%3%24%14%31%
Results
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Loranne Ausley for mayor Michael Shawn Foust Jeremy Matlow for mayor Daryl Parks for mayor