There are six candidates on the ballot competing for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3. The seat is currently occupied by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow. However, his decision to run for mayor has resulted in an open seat which attracted a diverse set of candidates entering the race. The can didates include Darryl Alfred Jr., Tom Derzypolski, Talethia O. Edwards, Maxwell Herrle, PJ Perez, and Norm Roche. Political Background While the Tallahassee City Commission seats are non-partisan, the candidates shared their personal party affiliations and political journeys during a recent forum. Darryl Alfred said he is a registered Democrat. He mentioned being raised in a “vote blue no matter who” household but emphasized that he does not want to focus solely on party affiliations. Tom Derzypolski said he is a registered NPA (No Party Affiliation) . He stated that he chooses to be an NPA because he seeks the “best leadership for the moment” rather than following a specific party. Norm Roche has been registered as an NPA for over a decade. His political journey included being a Democrat in his youth and then a Republican for approximately six years before deciding that parties serve themselves rather than the people. Talethia Edwards said she is a registered Democrat and stated she has been one her entire life. Max Herrle said he is a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and a believer in the power of unions and labor. PJ Perez is currently a registered Democrat. He noted that he was an NPA for a long time while working as a teacher to maintain the trust of his students. City Manager Reese Goad’s Tenure The candidates’ evaluation of City Manager Reese Goad varied sharply. Norm Roche gave Goad an A-minus, whereas PJ Perez and Max Herrle gave him an F, with Perez citing his role in commission “divisiveness.” Darryl Alfred assigned a D, stating residents do not feel he is accountable, while Tom Derzypolski gave a B-minus, partially crediting him for “incredible” city departments. Talethia Edwards declined to give a grade, citing a lack of direct experience working with him. Stance on the Sale and Potential Impact of Hospital Assets The candidates’ views on the actual transfer of assets ranged from cautious hope to direct opposition. Norm Roche explicitly supported the idea, calling it a “good move” focused on improving healthcare delivery and costs. Tom Derzypolski viewed the sale as a “pivot point” for the community to attract research and pharmaceutical jobs, though he remained displeased with the process. Darryl Alfred remained hopeful because FSU has provided much for the community, and he wants to see the partnership expand healthcare access for underserved areas. Max Herrle expressed a desire to believe in FSU’s ability to make TMH a world-class facility but emphasized that community trust must be rebuilt. Talethia Edwards stated she is not in agreement with selling public property assets but acknowledged the vital importance of expanded healthcare services. PJ Perez expressed fear regarding the loss of local control over healthcare and potential influence from the state government, urging that the under-insured must have a seat at the table. The Sale of the City Golf Course One of the most contentious issues was the city’s decision to sell the golf course to the Capital City Country Club. Norm Roche supported the decision, arguing it was a good partnership that saved the city from spending $30 million on upgrades and Talethia Edwards suggested that putting the property on the tax rolls could be beneficial. Tom Derzypolski expressed strong criticism regarding the process used to sell the city golf course to the Capital City Country Club. He characterized the deal as part of a series of “backroom shenanigans” that lead the public to question city leadership and bring distrust to the process. Darryl Alfred stated the sale “sickens” him, arguing it was rushed and undervalued while failing to respect the graves of people buried on the property. Max Herrle asserted that the treatment of the site was racially motivated, stating that if the bodies were white, the city would never have sold the land. PJ Perez characterized the future of the site as a “Tallahassee Mar-a-Lago” that would exclude the public. Candidate Biographies Darryl Alfred Jr. is campaigning on a message centered on neighborhood engagement, economic opportunity and quality-of-life improvements. A Tallahassee resident, Alfred works as a Realtor and rideshare driver, saying those jobs have given him firsthand insight into the concerns of residents from across the city. He has described the conversations he has with passengers as informal “town halls” that shaped his decision to seek public office. Alfred’s campaign focuses on practical solutions to issues affecting working families. He has identified affordable housing, transportation, neighborhood investment and support for local entrepreneurs among his top priorities. Alfred has also spoken about increasing transparency at City Hall and making city government more responsive to residents. He argues that elected officials should spend more time listening to citizens before making major policy decisions. Norm Roche brings decades of public service experience to the Seat 3 race. Roche is running after a career that includes service as a county commissioner in Pinellas County and leadership roles in business and public administration. He entered the race saying his experience managing budgets and overseeing public services would provide a seasoned perspective on the Tallahassee City Commission. Roche has campaigned on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment and accountable government. He has argued that city leaders should carefully evaluate spending decisions while maintaining essential public services and investing in roads, utilities and other long-term infrastructure needs. During candidate forums, Roche highlighted his previous elected experience, saying it has prepared him to evaluate complex budgets, work collaboratively with colleagues and make difficult policy decisions. He has also stressed transparency and consistent communication with residents as key responsibilities of elected officials. Tom Derzypolski brings a background in public relations and communications to the nonpartisan race. Derzypolski is the founder of a Tallahassee-based public relations firm and has said his professional experience helping organizations communicate and solve problems has prepared him for public office. When announcing his candidacy, he said he wanted to represent “real families, real challenges, and a city that works for all the people who live here.” His campaign emphasizes government accountability, responsible growth and expanding economic opportunities. Derzypolski has said Tallahassee should focus on attracting higher-paying jobs, supporting small businesses and improving the city’s competitiveness while maintaining fiscal responsibility. During candidate forums, Derzypolski discussed the importance of strategic economic development, including continued investment in Tallahassee International Airport as an economic asset. Derzypolski has also stressed transparency in local government and improving communication between city leaders and residents. He says public officials should clearly explain policy decisions and provide opportunities for meaningful citizen input. Talethia Edwards campaigns on community advocacy and neighborhood investment. Edwards has built her campaign around her experience as a community organizer and advocate. She has worked with neighborhood groups and civic organizations, saying those experiences have given her a strong understanding of the challenges facing families throughout Tallahassee. Her campaign priorities include affordable housing, equitable economic development, improved public safety and expanding access to city services. Edwards has said local government should ensure that economic growth benefits all neighborhoods and that residents have a greater voice in decisions affecting their communities. During candidate forums, Edwards discussed the importance of investing in neighborhoods while supporting economic development projects that create jobs and strengthen the city’s tax base. She has also emphasized collaboration between the City Commission, community organizations and residents to address housing costs, infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns. Edwards has called for increased transparency in city government and believes stronger public engagement can improve trust between residents and elected officials. Max Herrle campaigns on affordability, utility costs and government reform. Herrle has spent several years working in local politics and public policy. A political consultant and community advocate, Herrle has worked on campaigns for local elected officials and has been active in discussions involving neighborhood planning, transportation and city government. Herrle’s campaign centers on making Tallahassee more affordable. He has made reducing city utility bills the cornerstone of his platform, arguing that residents face increasing financial pressures from housing, insurance and energy costs. He has proposed reviewing the city’s electric utility, reducing unnecessary spending and identifying efficiencies that could lower monthly bills for customers. Beyond affordability, Herrle has advocated for expanding housing choices, improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and increasing transparency in city government. He has said residents should have greater input on development decisions and believes public engagement should occur before major projects are approved. During candidate forums, Herrle emphasized that Tallahassee should pursue economic growth while ensuring neighborhoods are protected and city investments produce long-term value. He has argued that local government should prioritize fiscal responsibility alongside infrastructure improvements and environmental stewardship. PJ Perez focuses on neighborhoods, education and smart growth. Perez, a long-time educator, is running a campaign emphasizing public service, neighborhood investment and responsible growth. Perez has taught in Leon County schools for more than 15 years, including at SAIL High School and Tallahassee Collegiate Academy. He moved to Tallahassee to attend college and chose to remain after beginning his teaching career, saying his experiences as an educator and parent inspired him to seek public office. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, transportation, environmental sustainability and increasing opportunities for working families. Perez has argued that Tallahassee’s growth should be guided by long-term planning that protects established neighborhoods while encouraging economic development that benefits all residents. Perez has also emphasized improving public trust in city government through greater transparency and community engagement. During public forums, Perez has discussed balancing economic development with environmental protection and maintaining Tallahassee’s quality of life. He has expressed support for attracting new businesses while ensuring city policies remain focused on affordability and sustainable growth. ...read more read less