TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A recent social media post is sparking controversy ahead of next month\u2019s primary election in the city of Tallahassee.<\/p>\n
Tensions are high as candidates from multiple races are addressing the issue as mail-in votes begin to come in.<\/p>\n
A Facebook post from a page titled \u201cTallahassee Conservatives\u201d at the end of last week included a video that purportedly shows an interaction between Orlando Police and Tallahassee city commission candidate Talethia Edwards.<\/p>\n
The video appears to show Edwards speaking with Orlando Police after she was flagged for potential unauthorized use of a disabled parking placard that had expired.<\/p>\n
In the video, Edwards is heard in a dispute with an officer over towing the vehicle. Edwards ultimately received a citation related to the incident, which was later dropped.<\/p>\n
Screenshots of emails allegedly sent between Edwards and OPD are also contained in the video posted by \u201cTallahassee Conservatives.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the emails shared, Edwards wrote to OPD, \u201cI have been navigating the situation and it turns out the car was not just towed it was impounded. Johnson\u2019s wrecker is saying they are not going to allow me to get the car. I live with mental illness Paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mix, my medication is inside the car. I normally take my meds at night before I go to sleep I cannot go without my medication past tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement to WCTV Monday, Edwards wrote the following:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a woman, I went through a challenging period in my life. Today, I am proud of my family and the progress I have made as a mother, a working professional, and a community leader.<\/p>\n
I am the only candidate in this race who has faced attacks this personal. Why? Because our campaign is bringing Democrats, Republicans, and people from all walks of life together. They are threatened by our unity and by what we can accomplish together.<\/p>\n
Democrats creating a fake conservative page to attack another Democrat is a new low. But our community stands united against these ugly political tactics.<\/p>\n
My commitment to law enforcement and public safety remains rock solid. Together, we will create safer, stronger, and more connected neighborhoods.”<\/p>\n
After last week\u2019s video post, Edwards and others began to question who was behind the social media page. Using the transparency tool on Meta, the page was previously named \u201cPause the TMH Deal \u2013 Vote NO on Dec. 10th.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edwards publicly accused city commissioner Jeremy Matlow\u2019s campaign of being behind the post. In Edwards\u2019 accusation, she shared a screenshot of a post from that social media page that was reportedly boosted by \u201cJeremy Matlow for City Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, WCTV has not been able to independently verify the contents of the screenshot.<\/p>\n
On July 24, Matlow told WCTV his campaign has no connection to the page and that he had searched his own ad inventory on Facebook and could not locate the boosted post in question.<\/p>\n
During that same conversation, Matlow confirmed he accepted the resignation of his campaign manager, Kristellys Estanga, but denied any involvement.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the phone call with WCTV, Estanga shared a message on her Facebook page explaining the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take full responsibility for the way that the information was disclosed,\u201d she wrote. \u201cI thought it was important information for the voters to know, but I should not have conveyed it publicly in that way. I acted alone, without the knowledge of anyone I work with or for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several other Tallahassee City Commission candidates shared the following statements with WCTV Monday:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not running for seat 3 and I\u2019m running for Mayor of Tallahassee to bring transparency to city hall, stop the backroom deals and make Tallahassee an affordable quality city for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was despicable and exactly why so many people are disgusted with politics at every level. I will continue to promote civility and stand with fellow candidates and members of our community in demanding accountability from everyone involved – directly or indirectly. Tallahassee deserves better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was intentional. This was deceptive. And this was designed to divide our community. This type of behavior must be denounced. Not only by me, but by Tallahassee ALERT, by community leaders, by organizations, and by Democrats who have endorsed my opponent. Mayors lead people, not parties. Mayors lead communities, not ideologies. Tallahassee needs leadership that unites us, not leadership that hides behind misleading pages and divisive tactics.<\/p>\n
This is not new. For the last eight years, Mr. Matlow has used tactics that divide, mislead, and inflame instead of bringing people together.<\/p>\n
My commitment to the people of Tallahassee is simple. I will always tell them the truth. I will always respect their intelligence. And I will always put the people of Tallahassee first. Tallahassee, we are better than this. And together, we will move our city forward, with integrity, accountability, and unity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs someone who has had and has family and friends that require Handicap Parking, I do not condone what Talethia did. However, I rebuke what the Matlow\/Perez campaigns did and find it reprehensible. It is a perfect example of what is wrong with our politics today. Those who have no substance to offer usually resort to slander and attacks. We\u2019re all human and make mistakes. The mistakes we make may not define us, but our response to those mistakes when exposed may very well define us. As my father often said, \u201cIf candidates are willing to lie and deceive to get into office, what do you think they\u2019ll do IF they get into office.\u201d \u00a0We have a chance to put an end to the drama, nonsense, and unprofessionalism infecting our City Hall. I urge voters to do their homework and research on all candidates seeking office here in Tallahassee in order to make the most informed decision possible; the future of Our City depends on it.<\/p>\n
I appreciate the opportunity to respond, and with much respect.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI stand with Talethia. I call on Temu Mamdani to resign his campaign and donate all funds to the Refuge Lighthouse before any more funds are wasted, so he can make up for the mental health stigma he just re-enforced with this story. As the lone Republican I expected attacks from him online, but as he congratulated the NYC mayor on his electoral picks winning, TMamdani can only push his experimental policies by subterfuge, sabotage, and having 2 other confederates on the city commission. As I campaign I have learned that hundreds of businesses and individuals have negative stories about the Great Value Mamdani\u2019s character and business practices. He must resign if Tallahassee is to prosper.\u00a0The commissioner has abused his position countless times, intervening to prevent arrests of his Aide Ryan Ray\u2019s multiple LEO encounters, which should have resulted in DUIs during his 2022 election, and has repeatedly shown deception for political gain.\u00a0His campaign\u2019s behavior is beyond politics, beyond racism, beyond sanity.\u00a0Election tampering is a crime.\u00a0The DSA must not take Tallahassee. His fired campaign manager works for PJ Perez and also worked for Jack Porter. They will fail to gain a majority if voters are informed of their deception.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a teacher, father, and husband, I\u2019m focused on making Tallahassee more affordable and safer, and on protecting our community from special interests.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The voters are tired of sideshows and distractions \u2014 major issues face our future and that\u2019s what this race should be about.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we filed for office more than a year ago we decided to run a different kind of campaign.\u00a0 One that was rose above these sophomoric attacks. I believe in a city that calls upon the better angels of our nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0PJ Perez needs to say sorry to Talethia and take responsibility for what his campaign released. The real issues we should be debating are our utility bill costs, walkability, affordability, access to fresh clean groceries and making Tallahassee awesome.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t support anonymous attacks against any candidate, including Talethia Edwards.<\/p>\n
I believe leaders should stand behind the truth in public\u2014not hide behind blanket statements or fake accounts to spread falsehoods.<\/p>\n
I publicly questioned Talethia\u2019s acceptance of PBA contributions during an impromptu candidate forum at a local poetry event. I did so openly, under my own name, and gave her every opportunity to respond. The room went into uproar. She was angry with me.<\/p>\n
That wasn\u2019t about shaming or vilifying anyone. It was about ensuring the public had information they deserved to consider.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the difference. If I have something to say, I\u2019ll say it publicly and take responsibility for it. I don\u2019t believe in anonymous political attacks or misleading voters from the shadows.<\/p>\n
Because my own campaign became intertwined with these events, I\u2019ve attached additional context explaining why I later chose to publish private messages after first attempting to address the matter privately.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are seeing is what the folks in Tallahassee have had enough of: The same bickering and fighting between the 3 and the 2. The video and shared emails were clearly intended to damage Ms. Edwards. I believe Mr. Perez owes Ms. Edwards a public apology. As a community, we are better than this kind of behavior. It is way past time for us to put an adult in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement to WCTV Monday, former Leon County Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley said she hopes people are paying attention and that they vote on \u201cthinking for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese days, we expect so much from people once they\u2019re in office, so it\u2019s kind of important to know as much as you can about the people who are running so there aren\u2019t so many surprises on the other side,\u201d she said. \u201cI mean in two weeks, there will be something else, but it\u2019s a piece of the puzzle. It\u2019s a piece that voters should think about if they\u2019re interested in that, whether they\u2019ll empathetic or whether they\u2019re judgmental, and people are a little bit of both.\u201d<\/p>\n
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