Attendees of the Leon Democratic Environmental Caucus’ watch party look on as city commisioner-elect P.J. Perez speaks (Asha Whiting / FAMUAN)

The crowded floor of Proof Brewing Company buzzed with anticipation Tuesday night as candidates’ families embraced, children played and attendees lined up for food while awaiting election results that could reshape Tallahassee’s political landscape. 

Organized by the Leon Democratic Environmental Caucus, the Nov. 3 watch party brought together supporters, families and campaign volunteers backing mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow, City Commission candidates P.J. Perez and Dot Inman-Johnson, and Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe. Members of U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon’s Tallahassee campaign team also attended. 

Matlow defeated former state Sen. Loranne Ausley in the mayoral race, while Perez won City Commission Seat 3 against Tom Derzypolski. Their victories established a new 3-2 working majority alongside Commissioner Jack Porter, shifting the balance of power at City Hall. 

Before the results arrived, organizers recognized volunteers who spent months canvassing neighborhoods and encouraging residents to vote. 

“This campaign has been one of the most valuable parts of my college career here at Tallahassee,” said Zach Butler, a college student who volunteered as a campaign canvasser. 

Leon County recorded 68.27% voter turnout, with 125,981 ballots cast, according to unofficial results from the Supervisor of Elections. 

As attendees awaited results, Perez thanked the volunteers who supported candidates throughout the election cycle. 

“Thank you to all the volunteers who have been working for all the campaigns. You guys are amazing,” Perez said. 

Cheers erupted throughout Proof Brewing Company as results arrived, with supporters chanting “Matlow! Matlow!” and “P.J.! P.J.!” in celebration. 

Matlow defeated Ausley by 1,365 votes, receiving 50.94% of the vote. Perez won with 64.21%, according to unofficial results. 

“For the last 8 years, since 2018, all of y’all have believed that Tallahassee can be a better city than it is today,” Matlow told supporters during his victory speech. 

Matlow criticized developer influence on city decisions and credited volunteers with knocking on 50,000 doors and making hundreds of thousands of phone calls. 

“This victory is not just for me, it’s for all of us,” Matlow said. 

He also addressed residents who opposed his campaign, encouraging them to participate in shaping the city’s future. 

“Now’s the time to bring our community back together,” Matlow said. 

He pledged to work with commissioners to develop an agenda based on concerns raised by residents during the campaign. 

While Matlow and Perez celebrated, former Tallahassee Mayor and City Commissioner Dot Inman-Johnson faced a different outcome in her race against incumbent Dianne Williams-Cox for City Commission Seat 5. 

Before the results arrived, Inman-Johnson expressed eagerness to return to public service. 

“I’m chomping at the bit to get to work for the citizens of Tallahassee again,” she said. 

Inman-Johnson criticized what she described as developer influence on city government and emphasized poverty, employment opportunities and youth violence as major concerns. 

“If you can’t tackle poverty, you can’t tackle crime, because that is one of the root causes,” she said. 

Inman-Johnson lost to Williams-Cox, who received 51.70% of the vote compared with her 48.30%, according to unofficial results. 

Williams-Cox also identified poverty, affordable housing and public safety as priorities for her next term, according to WTXL. 

Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe secured reelection in District 5, defeating David Hawkins with 69.09% of the vote. 

O’Keefe said residents wanted improvements in affordable housing, safe sidewalks and neighborhood services. 

“People want things to just work,” O’Keefe said. 

He also expressed concern that rising housing costs make it difficult for college graduates to remain in Tallahassee. 

While local candidates celebrated, Nixon’s U.S. Senate campaign faced defeat statewide against incumbent Republican Sen. Ashley Moody. 

Nixon carried Leon County with 65.15% of the vote, receiving 81,517 votes compared to with Moody’s 42,334, but lost statewide. 

Earlier that evening, Nixon’s Tallahassee campaign volunteers expressed optimism despite the challenges of reaching younger voters. 

“Very mixed emotions. Very nervous, excited, very hopeful still,” said Andrea Miranda, a member of Nixon’s campaign team. 

Miranda identified voter apathy as a major obstacle. 

“They think that their vote doesn’t count. It doesn’t matter. They don’t have a say in the process anyway. So why bother?” Miranda said. 

Fellow volunteer Serena McKinstry shared concerns about political disengagement and said Nixon’s activism inspired her to join the campaign. 

Despite the defeat, Nixon indicated she would continue political organizing and left open the possibility of another challenge to Moody in 2028, though she has not committed to running again. 

The contrasting outcomes marked an election night of both celebration and disappointment, as candidates and volunteers reflected on months of organizing. 

For Matlow and his supporters, the victory marked the beginning of a new chapter in Tallahassee politics. 

“But the real work starts in just a few weeks,” Matlow told the crowd.