Leon County, Florida General Ballot Blog November 2026
Vote early if you can, or vote on November 3, 2026.
Early voting starts Oct 19th.
This is my take and observations on the candidates on my ballot. I include links where I can but really this is an exercise to help ME decide who to vote for. Hope it helps those others out there researching.
You wouldn't choose your brain surgeon based on personality, choose your government leader based on how they vote.
A few additional resources I like.
ivoter guide - simple non-partisan summary based on your zip code (make sure you click the 20204 general election button on the right.
The Tallahassee Democrat Guide is OK but you can only view it a couple of times before they make you pay for it, and as their name implies they are biased towards Democrats.
Chief Financial Officer -
Blaise Ingoglia - (REP) (my pick) Incumbent, currently CFO. Former state representative/state senator. I think he has done a good job. Listened to multiple interviews with him.
Annette Taddeo - (DEM) - Florida State Senator. Capable but still a left leaning Democrat.
Commissioner of Agriculture -
Wilton Simpson - (REP) (my pick) The current Commissioner of Agriculture, I haven't heard any negative press, that would lead me to want to change.
Justice of the Supreme Court (Retain ?)
(Yes) Retain Justice Carlos G. Muniz - appointed by Ron Desantis conservative leaning
District Court of Appeal (Retain ?)
(Yes) Retain Judge Joseph Lewis Jr. - Incumbent since 2001. Office of the Attorney General 1995-2000. appointed by Jeb Bush.
(Yes) Retain Judge Rachel Nordby - appointment by Ron DeSantis in 2019. Served as Senior Deputy Solicitor General for the Florida Attorney General. Also was a partner at Tallahassee law firm.
(Yes) Retain Judge Tim Osterhaus - Incumbent since 2013. Appointed by Rick Scott. I have met him and casually knew their family. Good people.
(Yes) Retain Judge Clay Roberts- Incumbent since 2007. Appointed by Charlie Crist. Deputy Attorney General 2003-2007. Adjunct law professor 2004-2013.
(Yes) Retain Judge Raymond Treadwell - Recent appointment by Ron DeSantis, claims to be conservative.
Board of County Commissioners At Large Group 2
Nick Maddox - No one running against him. Our current commissioner since 2010. Considers himself "a conservative Democrat", is OK with raising taxes, focus on affordable housing in the county. Former FSU and NFL football player.
Board of County Commissioners District 3 - I can't actually vote for this one, but you can watch the debate HERE. Difficult to decide between the 2 they are both Democrats not a lot of differences.
C.B. Lorch - (my pick) Business owner, Served as School Board Member for the School of Arts and Sciences. More business friendly.
Rick Minor - Current County Commissioner and Chairman of the Board (2020-2021), he served as CEO of Second Harvest of the Big Bend and as chief of staff in the Tallahassee Mayor’s Office.
Mayor
Anyone but Matlow, The debate can be watched HERE.
Loranne Ausley - (my pick) I don't even like Loranne but she is way better than Matlow .
Jeremy Matlow - NO NO NO. a progressive Democrat with strong ties to the DSA, He has been a constant enemy of the current Mayor John Dailey.
City Commissioner, Seat 3 - Please don't vote for PJ....
The debate can be watched HERE
Tom Derzypolski - (my Pick) Former Navy medic. Current president of BowStern Marketing Communications. Somewhat conservative. Way better than PJ.
P.J. Perez - Very progressive endorsed by Jeremy Matlow. Caucuses with the Democratic Socialists. Definite No.
City Commissioner, Seat 5
They are both left leaning but Dianne is by far the most reasonable. The debate can be watched HERE
Dot Inman-Johnson - Former City Commissioner and 2 term Mayor in Tallahassee. Served on National Superfund Advisory committee. Serves on a ton of boards and environmental committees. Lots of experience. Very left of center. Caucuses with Jeremy Matlow.
Dianne Williams Cox- (my pick) A Democrat, but a reasonable one. Often votes with Mayor Dailey on the occasions that they are voting against something Jeremy Matlow supports.
Amendments
In general if you don't understand an amendment it is better to vote NO. Our Florida constitution is muddied up with way too many things that should have been left to legislation by the house and senate, and not put forever in the constitution. James Madison Institute Amendment GuideNo. 1 - Article III, Section 19: Budget Stabilization Fund
Raises the cap on Florida's
budget stabilization ("rainy
day") fund from 10% to 25%
of general revenue, requires
annual transfers into the
fund, and sets conditions for
withdrawals.
This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature. For a state with regular hurricanes this seems like a wise long term strategy. This amendment had almost universal acceptance from both parties in the house and Senate.
(Yes)
No. 2 - Article VII, Section 3, Article XII: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation.
Exempts tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism, that is located on agricultural land, from ad valorem taxation, effective for tax year 2027.
Exempts tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism, that is located on agricultural land, from ad valorem taxation, effective for tax year 2027.
This is an issue that cannot be addressed by the Legislature. I think that this should help keep farms more viable and encourage more food production in Florida.
(Yes)
No. 3 - Increased Homestead Exemption: Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments.
Increases the homestead
property tax exemption on
a phased schedule, requires
a path toward eliminating
non-school homestead taxes,
restricts local governments' use
of property tax revenue, and
lowers the assessment growth
cap on other property.
This does not include School taxes. Increasing the homestead to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Because of inflation this just brings the current homestead exemption closer to what it was 10 years ago. I support lower taxes in general. It will help lower income housing to be able to keep what they have.
It also helps owners of rental properties by reducing the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.
(Yes)
County Charter Amendments
These are not really legislative and need to be addressed in the Charter amendments.
No. 1 - County Ordinances to Prevail Over Municipal Ordinances as Proposed by the Board of County Commissioners
Basically County government's rules prevail when county and municipal ordinances conflict.
In general I think that the city has more rules and stricter rules, so I would lean to defaulting to the county over city government when possible.
(Yes)
No. 2 - Uniform Street Naming, Renaming, and Property numbering Standards Proposed by the Board of County Commissioners
Provides for more uniform standards across the county. I'm for it, we have some crazy changing street names in Leon County. (less is more)
(Yes)
No. 3 - Affirmation of Human Dignity as Proposed by the Board of County Commissioners
Adds language to the charter's preamble. Silly hipster nonsense.
(No)
No. 4 - Remove and Replace Outdated Statutory References as Proposed by the Board of County Commissioners
This would help update charter language and the amendment review process. Language is constantly changing and there are always old rules that are no longer applicable that need to be removed.
(Yes)
No. 5 - Affirmation of County's Commitment to Historically Underserved and Vulnerable Populations
This should definitely not be in the County Charter. It would require the county to pay for regular assessments and studies to determine options for reparations. We do not need this nonsense.
(No)
School Board Referendums
No. 1 - School District Referendum Continuing Sales Surtax to Fund School Safety, Technology, Transportation and Facilities Improvements.
Continues the 1/2 cent sales tax for another 15 years. Because this is already a part of our regular taxes and because it is a sales tax I will support it.
(Yes)
No. 2 - School Board Ad Valorem Levy to Improve Teacher Compensation, School Safety and School Enrichment Programs.
Increases taxes to make up for the school boards mismanagement of funds. The school board has refused to close and consolidate schools and has a much higher percentage of non-teacher staff relative to other districts our size (related article). I'm all for teachers getting paid well but I don't think the school board should be rewarded for poor management.
(No)
County Straw Ballot Question
No. 1 - Advisory Referendum to Pursue County -City Consolidation Plan Under Leon County Government Structure and Leadership
Creates a study to determine what voters think about combining the city and county. I could go either way but I don't think combining would be a good idea, so it's easier to stop them here.
(No)
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