Matlow Leads Early Tallahassee Mayor Vote Count

Two-term commissioner Jeremy Matlow holds a 51.60% share of counted ballots against former state legislator Loranne Ausley.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a pale limestone civic building with tall columns and a live oak branch, evoking Tallahassee city government. — Two-term Tallahassee commissioner Jeremy Matlow held a 51.60% lead over former state legislator Loranne Ausley in the mayoral race as early ballots were counted. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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With early and much of the vote-by-mail ballots counted, Jeremy Matlow leads Loranne Ausley 51.60% to 48.40% in the Tallahassee mayor race. If elected, Ausley would be the city's first woman mayor since the post became elected in 1996.

Why it matters

Matlow's progressive slate could flip the balance of power at Tallahassee City Hall if it prevails on election night. The contest has drawn heavy outside spending, with political action committees funding mailers, commercials and mass texts.

Early counts show Matlow ahead 51.60% to 48.40% of ballots counted so far, while Ausley raised $662,359 compared with $318,320 for Matlow's own campaign. The final margin remains open until remaining ballots are tallied and certified.

The players

Jeremy Matlow

A two-term Tallahassee city commissioner whose progressive slate could reshape City Hall if he wins the mayoralty.

Loranne Ausley

A former Florida House and Senate member with 14 years of state legislative service who would become Tallahassee's first elected woman mayor if she wins.

Green Advocacy Network

A Washington, D.C.-headquartered advocacy group that donated $200,000 to Matlow's political committee.

The details

Matlow, a two-term city commissioner, leads Ausley, who spent 14 years in the Florida House and Senate. His political committee, Friends of Jeremy Matlow, collected $253,750, including a $200,000 donation from the Green Advocacy Network, while Tallahassee United raised nearly $448,000 as of Oct. 29.

Oct. 29, 2026: Tallahassee United fundraising total reported in campaign finance reports.
Nov. 3, 2026: Early results and vote counting in the Tallahassee mayor race.

Political Context

Ausley would become the first woman to hold Tallahassee's mayoralty since the office became elected in 1996. Opponents and supporters alike have leaned on outside political action committees, several formed shortly before the 2026 election, to carry much of the negative campaigning.

The outcome will determine who leads Tallahassee's city government and whether Matlow's progressive slate gains control of City Hall. Voters and residents will see the direction of city policy depend on the final count.

The takeaway

The final count will decide whether Tallahassee's next mayor brings a new majority to City Hall. Residents tracking the race should watch for certified results after remaining ballots are counted.