News Summary
Max Herrle has declared his candidacy for the Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3 in the upcoming election. His campaign focuses on unity, affordability, and infrastructure projects, amidst the current political tensions in the city. Herrle aims to reduce utility bills and support community initiatives. His controversial past as a political consultant raises questions but he believes his experience can lead to positive change in the divided political landscape of Tallahassee.
TALLAHASSEE – Max Herrle, a political operative with a controversial background, has officially announced his candidacy for the Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3 for the 2026 election. Herrle filed his paperwork on August 26, entering the race shortly after incumbent City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow declared his campaign for mayor.
Herrle’s announcement comes amid ongoing political tensions at City Hall, which he claims to be eager to resolve. His campaign is centered around themes of unity and affordability for the residents of Tallahassee. Among his proposals, he aims for significant reductions in utility bills and plans a major infrastructure project that includes a canopy of Southern live oaks over historic structures.
In recent social media activity, Herrle reflected on his long history in Tallahassee, sharing videos and memories dating back to his internship with the Council on Culture & Arts in 2013. He has promised to advocate for initiatives such as a city-run childcare center and free summer camp programs, indicating a focus on family and community support in his platform.
Throughout his career, Herrle has built a reputation as a political consultant and lobbyist, having worked on behalf of various interests, from downtown bar owners to union support for teachers and firefighters. He is noted for founding the North Florida Leadership Fund PC and co-founding Our Tallahassee, an electioneering website that previously gained notoriety for targeting opponents of progressive candidates and publishing controversial stories, including allegations against the local police department.
Despite his ambitious plans, his character has faced scrutiny due to past incidents, such as derogatory remarks made about a fellow county commissioner during meetings on funding disputes. Herrle has expressed disappointment in the treatment of city employees, calling it a failure of leadership on the City Manager’s part.
While Matlow has not publicly endorsed Herrle, he remains focused on his ambition for the mayoral position. Herrle, meanwhile, has disclosed relationships within the current commission, claiming past contributions to the electoral successes of Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson. He perceives his candidacy as a pathway to bringing various factions together in Tallahassee’s divided political scene.
Other candidates are also vying for Matlow’s vacated seat. PJ Perez, a seasoned teacher, highlights communication and affordability as his primary campaign issues. Activist Talethia Edwards, with a background in community organizing, aims to tackle homelessness and provide affordable housing solutions. Norm Roche, another candidate, emphasizes community unity and change as central themes of his campaign.
As the 2026 elections approach, Tallahassee is gearing up for significant political shifts, including the impending departure of Mayor John Dailey. Compounding the excitement is Camron Cooper, a candidate for mayor who has voiced concerns regarding new registration requirements for candidates, finding support among fellow commissioners in his advocacy for more equitable qualification standards.
With these developments, the upcoming election cycle is expected to be dynamic, presenting Tallahassee residents with a variety of candidates and platforms aimed at improving the community’s political and social landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Three People File For Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3
- WTXL: Election Results
- Tallahassee.com: 2026 Leon Tallahassee Election Races on the Ballot
- Wikipedia: Tallahassee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tallahassee
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
