Three candidates file for City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow's seat as he vies for mayor

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2 days ago

Three new candidates have filed for City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow's seat on the dais, which he will be vacating to take a swing at landing the city's top post.
PJ Perez and Talethia Edwards made their race for the position official Aug. 12, a day after Matlow announced his mayoral campaign, according to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections. Norm Roche had filed earlier.
The 2026 election could bring a slate of new faces to the board as Mayor John Dailey officially announced he will not be seeking re-election. Currently, only Matlow and a political unknown, Camron Cooper, are in the running for mayor. City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox's seat is also up for re-election, and so far, no one has filed to run against her.
Each candidate vying for Matlow's spot is a fresh face to the elected board, and they have emphasized their desire to see the community united, saying it's time for a change. The Tallahassee Democrat reached out to each candidate to learn more about them and the beginnings of their campaigns.
Norm Roche: A non-partisan running for a non-partisan seat
Tallahassee was always a second home for Roche, and 10 years ago, he decided to make it his permanent home.
Running for local office is both familiar and something Roche has considered before. He served as a Pinellas County Commissioner for four years and almost ran for a spot on the Tallahassee City Commission in 2018 after former City Commissioner Scott Maddox was ousted during the investigation of a notorious City Hall bribery scheme.
Roche currently works at Costco as a merchandiser and forklift driver. Previously, he worked for the city in customer service operations for six years.
Last year's pay negotiations with the firefighter union brought the idea of running back to the forefront of Roche's mind, especially after his nephew was among the string of firefighters who made the decision to leave the department because of low pay.
At the time, he remembered thinking to himself, "We have to get some adults into the room here."
Roche said he's watched the current board argue and take stands on state and federal issues when they should be focusing on city related issues. If he were to be elected, he said there would be at least one voice solely focused on the city.
"What I have noticed, which brings me great concern about our city commission of late, is these are non-partisan seats, and what I'm seeing is this sort of partisan infection getting involved here," he said.
Witnessing all of this, he said he felt compelled to get involved as a non-partisan running for a non-partisan seat: "That's an idea, isn't it?"
Another pitfall under the current leadership is the divide between the city and county commissions, he said. The two are "inextricably connected," and a positive relationship is necessary for good community growth.
His campaign's emphasis is on "community" and not "communities."
"The problems that are faced in the south of the city are the same problems in the north — they are our problems," he said. "Whatever problems the south is facing, we're all facing, and it's going to take all of us to do it."
PJ Perez: Local teacher takes on local politics
Perez wants to be part of "a new kind of change."
While he may have no political background, Perez said being a teacher the last 14 years puts him in an unique position to engage with the community.
"Being a teacher forces you to be an effective communicator across so many different types of people," Perez said.
In 2011, Perez started teaching world history at SAIL High School and since 2023, he's been teaching at Tallahassee Collegiate Academy, and if he were to win the race, Perez said he intends to keep teaching while holding office.
"This isn't unprecedented; it's been done before," he said.
He pointed to County Commissioner Brian Welch who has been a teacher at Chiles High School through his time in office.
"When you're in a position like teaching, I've always thought of it as a public service," Perez said. "It doesn't feel like work, and it feels meaningful."
Working and engaging directly with the community is what draws Perez to local politics, he said.
A major issue he intends to address if voted into office is the affordability in Tallahassee. He said he sees the "affordability crisis" every day as he drives through the West Pensacola Street corridor on his way to school.
"There's no doubt that a lot of people are struggling," he said. "It just seems like there are ways to reorient the vision around affordability and around building community."
Perez has already drawn words of support from the Leon County Democratic Party Chair Ryan Ray, who is also the aide to Matlow.
"What a positive time for democracy in Tallahassee," Ray wrote on Facebook while congratulating Perez.
Talethia Edwards: 'The time has come'
Edwards was not available for a full interview with the Democrat, but in a text message she said filing for City Commission Seat 3 was "a big leap, but I did it with the belief that our strength comes from unity."
"The time has come, and I'm ready to serve!" she wrote.
Edwards has championed southside communities for years as an activist, involving herself in numerous efforts to better the capital city. She's been described as a "powerhouse," "community organizer," "servant leader" and "firecracker," and she currently serves as executive director of Good News Outreach, a faith-based organization dedicated to relieving physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual isolation to those in our community.
In an Aug. 13 radio interview with Pastor Greg James, Edwards said issues like homelessness and affordable housing are important to her.
As for the timing of the run, she said "the time is here. I'm doing the work. And the opportunity is here. I'm ready to serve."
She vowed to represent all 200,000 residents of Tallahassee.
"I am ready to lead this community in a well balanced way that brings us together, that really focuses on the needs of the community holistically."
More: In her own words: Talethia Edwards says community baby's story is one of 'hope and love'
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Three people file for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3
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