Gil Ziffer drops out of mayor's race, backs Bill Montford

In a surprise move that sent shock waves through Tallahassee’s political scene, City Commissioner Gil Ziffer bowed out of the mayor’s race on Monday and announced he’s backing state Sen. Bill Montford for the post instead.

Ziffer, who launched his mayoral bid just a few months earlier, said he would not run for any office this year and was likely out of elected life for good once his term ends in the fall.

“My elected political time is over,” he said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat.

Montford, whose term in the Senate runs through 2020, was silent on his plans early in the day. Ziffer, however, said he spoke with Montford two weeks ago and told him he’d decided not to run for mayor. He said Montford expressed interest in running for mayor but didn’t commit.

“I want Bill Montford to be the mayor of Tallahassee,” Ziffer said. “He’d be great.”

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His announcement came after a rough eight months at City Hall marked by an FBI investigation into public corruption, which became public in June, the forced resignation of City Manager Rick Fernandez in a football ticket scandal and withering criticism from some corners of the community. Commissioners have struggled to find consensus on some issues amid the turmoil and headlines.

“Obviously all of the media wears on you,” Ziffer said. “But it hasn’t distracted me from trying to do good things in the city. Being president of the Florida League of Cities has been a real honor. Working with Congress to provide better workforce training, immigration reform and affordable housing through the National League of Cities have all been important things for me to do.”

Ziffer, 61, said he’d been seriously reconsidering running for mayor over the past six weeks, making his mind up a couple of weeks ago.

“In November, it will be over nine years that I have been on the commission,” he said. “And over the past couple of months, I started thinking about four more years. And I have other things that are equally if not more important in my life. I have six grand children that have come into my life since I’ve been there. I have a patient wife. And I still have a business. It’s time for me to go back to all those things.”

In a prepared statement, he noted city successes in his statement, including the millions of dollars spent on Cascades Park, Capital Circle and Franklin Boulevard improvements and Gaines Street revitalization. He said he was proud of the “process we established” in protecting Myer’s Park from development encroachment and finalizing a noise ordinance. He said he’s confident that before he leaves the city, a community school will open on the south side and Independence Landing, a residential development in SouthWood for people with disabilities, will be moving forward.

“Our city is in good hands with the over 2,800 city of Tallahassee employees and management that go to work everyday providing the many and far-reaching services our residents have come to expect,” he said. “As for what lies ahead, you never know where a new road will lead or how it will look until you take it. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next one leads.”

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Ziffer, president of Ziffer Stansberry Communications, was appointed to the commission in 2009 following the departure of Commissioner Allan Katz. He was elected to a full four-year term the following year and re-elected in 2014. He initially planned to run for re-election to his seat before announcing his mayoral campaign in late September.

His departure means three of five City Commission seats will be changing hands in the fall. Mayor Andrew Gillum opted not to seek re-election to run for governor instead. City Commissioner Nancy Miller also announced late last year she will not run for a third term.

“I’m excited for the new crop of local leaders,” Gillum said in a text, “that will continue the forward momentum that has become synonymous with Tallahassee.”

Gil Ziffer's statement

"With a great deal of thought and discussion with my family, I have decided to not seek the Tallahassee Mayor’s position, nor will I seek any other position on the City Commission.

"I want to thank the numerous supporters I’ve had during my campaigns, and the many thousands of citizens who elected me in 2010 and 2014. It continues to be a tremendous honor and privilege to serve our community.

"Since joining the Commission in 2009, we’ve had many successes. Infrastructure alone includes our award winning Cascades Park, several segments of Capital Circle, a redesigned and rebuilt Franklin Boulevard, Gaines Street and the hundreds of millions in private sector dollars in construction as a result of public infrastructure improvements.

"Personally, I’m proud of the process we established in protecting development encroachment in Myers Park; working with all parties in finalizing a noise ordinance, and working with County Commissioner MaryAnn Lindley and the Betton Hills neighborhood in the development and installation of the privately funded Sandy Proctor bronze sculpture garden in McCord Park.

"I’m confidant before I leave office we’ll finally open a Community School in our Southside in addition to finalizing the private construction of Independence Landing in SouthWood.

"Our city is in good hands with the over 2,800 City of Tallahassee employees and management that go to work everyday providing the many and far-reaching services our residents have come to expect. My aide, Cathy Branch, has been working beside me since my first day. I’ve often said, of all the decisions I’ve made since joining the Commission, hiring Cathy was one of my best.

"I am also honored to be serving as the current President of the Florida League of Cities, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. Defending Home Rule has never been more important. I plan on re-doubling my efforts to defeat the intrusion and limitations our State Legislature seems to try and advance at every turn as we move through the 2018 Florida Legislative Session.

"Throughout my public service, my wife,Gail Stansberry-Ziffer, has been my biggest supporter. We have survived the ups and downs of public service together and for that I will be eternally grateful. Since joining the commission, we’ve also been blessed with six grandchildren. I welcome the opportunity to spend a great deal more time making memories with them.

"I am confident a candidate worthy of the mayor’s position will step forward. In particular, if Senator Bill Montford chooses to run, I believe he will be the mayor Tallahassee needs and deserves at this critical time.

As for what lies ahead, you never know where a new road will lead or how it will look until you take it. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next one leads."

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

