Campaign cliffhanger: Kristin Dozier, John Dailey head to runoff in neck-and-neck mayor's race

The highly contentious primary battle for mayor of Tallahassee — with incumbent John Dailey and Kristin Dozier locked in the political fight of their lives — ended with a campaign cliffhanger.

Dozier, a three-term Leon County commissioner, finished Tuesday with a razor-thin lead over Dailey, who’s seeking a second term. Dozier had 46.08% of the vote, while Dailey had 45.68%. Only about 150 votes separated the two candidates out of more than 38,000 cast.

Two lesser-known candidates, Whitfield Leland and Michael Ibrahim, trailed far behind with 5.25% and 2.98%, respectively. Since no one got more than half the vote, Dozier and Dailey will go on to compete in the Nov. 8 general election.

LIVE RESULTS: Florida primary election 2022: See live results from Tallahassee, Leon County voters

Dozier, who celebrated with family and friends at Waterworks on Thomasville Road, said she was feeling “fantastic” and predicted victory in the fall.

“In the beginning, there were some people who said this couldn’t happen — we were 12 months behind and close to $200,000 behind in fundraising when we started less than six months ago,” Dozier said. “But we knew different. When you listen to the people of this community, when you work with them, you know people want change.”

Dailey, who spent election night at Chiles High School watching one of his sons play football for Raa Middle, said he was thrilled with the support he received.

“Tomorrow morning, we wake up, we roll up our sleeves and we go back to work,” Dailey said, adding that both sides ran “good” campaigns. “It’s going to be a tight race.”

The primary, marked by acrimony between the one-time County Commission colleagues and an onslaught of negative advertising, was a mere prelude to the general election battle that lies ahead. Even more money will pour into what’s certain to become the single most expensive local race of the cycle.

If Dozier wins in November, she’ll be the first woman to serve as mayor since the mid-1990s, when the position rotated among city commissioners.

If Dailey ultimately secures re-election, he’ll be the first directly elected mayor to do so since John Marks in 2010. Dailey succeeded Mayor Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost the 2018 governor’s race at the end of his single term.

Dozier entered the race in March, capitalizing on a recent vote by city and county commissioners to spend $27 million in Blueprint funds on Doak Campbell Stadium, a controversial issue she hammered Dailey on out of the gate. Her television ads focused on Dailey’s support for the project and his acceptance of campaign donations from Florida State University figures who pushed for the money.

Dailey hit back with commercials accusing her of ethical lapses involving a home she purchased from John “J.T.” Burnette in 2015, years before his indictment and conviction on corruption charges, and a 2014 vote he said benefited her family’s construction business. Dozier denied wrongdoing and responded in TV ads late in the campaign saying she “wouldn’t stoop to (Dailey’s) level.”

Ugly election: 'No holds barred': Negative campaign season in Tallahassee gets uglier as Election Day nears

Dozier, who filed roughly a year after Dailey launched his re-election campaign, was never able to catch up in fundraising. However, both candidates had more than enough money for expensive mailers and air time. Dozier raised about $118,000 and spent about $100,000, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Dailey raised about $268,000 and spent nearly $253,000.

For Dozier, the primary echoed her first political outing in 2010, when she challenged County Commissioner Bob Rackleff and bested him in the primary. She was automatically re-elected in 2014 and 2018 without opposition.

Dailey was first elected to the County Commission in 2006, winning his primary outright before unopposed victories in 2010 and 2014. In the 2018 general election, Dailey eked out a narrow win against Gillum’s former chief of staff, Dustin Daniels.

On Wednesday, both candidates weighed in on the results and the race ahead, which could end in another photo finish 11 weeks from now.

"Last night Tallahassee voters sent a clear message, it's time for new leadership in the mayor's office," Dozier tweeted. "I decided to run for mayor because I love our community and because so many of you asked me to represent your voice in this race and in the mayor’s office."

Dailey tweeted: "Do we move forward cleaning up politics in our city or do we turn back the clock on ethics reform? Do we want a mayor who consistently says yes to good high-paying jobs or one who always seems to have an excuse for voting against investments in our community? That’s what this race will be about."

TICK TOCK OF THE NIGHT

9:33 p.m. update

Leon County Commissioner Kristin Dozier and Mayor John Dailey appear headed for a runoff in the Tallahassee mayor's race.

With 78 and 80 precincts reporting, Dozier held a razor-thin lead with 46.02% of the vote. Dailey had 45.85%. 

8:05 p.m. update

After spending much of the night behind, Mayor John Dailey is now within 1 point of Leon County Commissioner Dozier.

With 52 of 80 precincts reporting, Dozier had 46.42% of the vote, Dailey had 45.55%, Whitfield Leland had 5.12% and Michael Ibrahim had 2.91%.

7:40 p.m. update:

The mayor's race got a lot tighter after early returns showed a sizeable lead for Kristin Dozier over John Dailey.

With 15 of 80 precincts reporting, Dozier had 47.87%, Dailey had 44.6%, Whitfield Leland had 4.79% and Michael Ibrahim had 2.74%.

Initial update:

Leon County Commissioner Kristin Dozier has taken an early lead in the race for Tallahassee mayor, winning just over half the vote in early returns.

Dozier was leading with 50.46% of the vote. Mayor John Dailey was second with 42.51%.

Two first-time and lesser-known candidates, Whitfield Leland and Michael Ibrahim trailed with 4.51% and 2.52%, respectively.

The current tally includes early and mail ballots. No Election Day precincts are reporting yet.

One of the candidates must get over half the vote to avoid a November runoff. Absent that, the top two finishers will go on to compete in the fall.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee mayor's race: Kristin Dozier, John Dailey head to runoff