Gray Rohrer
In another sign of the fight within the Democratic Party over the Tallahassee Mayor’s race, the Leon County Democratic Party is formally endorsing Kristin Dozier, going against the preference of Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz, who is backing incumbent John Dailey.
“Her character and respect for people and her constituents, her colleagues, male and female, and the democratic process make her a prime example of a public servant who will champion the needs of all working people in Tallahassee,” the local party’s steering committee said in a released statement after voting on the endorsement.
“Kristin Dozier represents a brighter future for our environment, our children, and our community and we are very proud to stand by her.”
The statement also cited Dozier’s opposition to a $27 million deal to spend public funds on improvements to Doak Campbell Stadium, which Dailey supported. The project gained numerous detractors who believe the money should be spent elsewhere to improve and diversify the Tallahassee economy, since Florida State University has its own revenue streams to refurbish its stadium.
Diaz’s endorsement of Dailey, who has served as Mayor since 2018, was met on Wednesday with vehement criticism, not just among Leon Democrats but throughout the state.
Thomas Kennedy, a Miami activist and member of the Democratic National Committee, called on Diaz to resign following the Nov. 8 General Election.
The endorsement also put Diaz on the same side as local Republicans, as the Leon GOP has advocated for a vote against Dozier in the General Election.
Dailey received 17,473 votes in the August Primary Election — 148 fewer than Dozier out of more than 38,000 ballots cast. Two other candidates, Mike Ibrahim and Whitfield Leland, finished well behind, sending Dailey and Dozier to a runoff in the General Election.
Local elections in Leon are officially nonpartisan but have had a distinct partisan flavor. In the mayoral race, Dailey has received the backing of developers and the local Chamber of Commerce, traditional allies of the GOP in statewide contests that nonetheless back Democrats in local races in Leon, where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2-to-1.
3 comments
Leon County voter
October 28, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Dailey is toast.
Doak scandal, troubling questions about FPL influence in his campaign and office, filthy inside deals that got the City in trouble for years.
Cheers to a new day!
Hope
October 28, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Not all Republicans are supporting DAILEY as he is too entrenched in the Democratic Party agenda and special interests.
DAILEY paid $60,000 for a campaign consultant who worked on the Obama campaign, but Dailey came in second to Dozier. He has parted ways with his campaign consultant and his wife is running his campaign.
It was only weeks after the primary that his campaign was criticized for having an out of the sunshine meeting in his home. Dailey received massive criticisms on this.
The troubles for Dailey’s campaign keeps mounting as he has been accused of bullying. It seems to have a domino effect now with the Democratic Party chair making an inappropriate endorsement and a local Tallahassee news publisher at Tallahassee Reports is censoring pro Dozier comments and only allowing comments bullying Dozier supporters.
The publisher at Tallahassee Reports is getting paid by the Dailey campaign for advertising ads.
Republicans and Democrats are also upset with Dailey for giving away $27 million to the Doak Stadium for stadium seats that was meant for infrastructure. DAILEY received payback in the form of campaign contributions from the special interests who are proponents of the $27 million giveaway. There is a massive outpouring of criticism against Dailey for this vote.
Dailey’s campaign seems to be desperate, however, they keep making mistake after mistake.
Doug Hahn
November 2, 2022 at 6:41 pm
Florida Equality endorsed Dailey…the only race in Leon County they took a stand, then had the hubris to send email to local LBGT people saying they “had done the homework” for us. The need to keep their hands out of politics if the are incapable of making.informed decisions
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