John Dailey and Dustin Daniels to spar for Tallahassee Mayor seat

Jeffrey Schweers | Tallahassee Democrat

John Dailey, a three-term Leon County Commissioner with the backing of a large swath of Tallahassee's establishment, walked away with just under 40 percent of the 43,282 votes cast for Tallahassee Mayor Tuesday.

He said he didn't expect to win it outright considering the field of six candidates in the highly competitive race.

Dustin Daniels, the former chief of staff for Mayor Andrew Gillum, now the Democratic nominee for Florida Governor, held onto second place with 25 percent of the vote, securing himself a spot in the November runoff against Dailey.

"I'm very excited and appreciative for the support we've garnered," Daniels said.

Both relished the opportunity to go up against each other in the general election.

"There is a distinct difference between my experience and track record and what we've been able to do versus what he's been campaigning on," Dailey said at his watch party at Coosh's Bayou Rouge in CollegeTown. "I fully expect this to get into the issues, focusing on specifics. I look forward to it."

Daniels, whose own watch party was going on across the street at Township, said he expected a more diverse and progressive turnout for the general election that would benefit him and his message.

With Gillum deciding to run for governor after 15 years in City Hall, and the last four as mayor, the race to replace him became a free-for-all, even with an FBI investigation into political corruption hanging over City Hall for more than a year.

The candidates all emphasized the need for transparency, stronger ethics and a return of the public's trust.

Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, 58, a four-term state representative and communications professional who teaches at Tallahassee Community College came in third with about 21 percent of votes cast.

Carrie Litherland, 25, a legislative consultant for a local lawyer/lobbying firm took 6.3 percent of the vote, followed by Joe West with 4 percent and Norris Barr with 3.6 percent.

The race was marked by lots of speculation and maneuvering in its early days.

Karate instructor Erik David and communications executive Bob Lotane were among the first to declare their candidacy but both eventually bowed out. Lotane stepped down when City Commissioner Gil Ziffer switched races from re-election to seat 5 to run for mayor.

But Ziffer stepped down around the same time State Sen. Bill Montford was rumored to run. After Montford declared he would not run, the field in earnest began to firm up.

Daniels, 29, the mayor's chief of staff for four years, launched what appeared to be a website in January. That was followed by the creation of a political committee, Progress Tallahassee.

Finally, in April, Daniels announced his candidacy and launched a video emphasizing his humble roots in Hernando County, including a brush with the law as a juvenile offender, and ultimately becoming Florida State's student government president and the mayor's right hand.

Read More: Get to know the candidates for Tallahassee mayor

Daniels raised $53,435 in his campaign account and another $24,000 in his political committee, Progress Tallahassee. He spent all but $4,000.

Dailey, 45, a three-term county commissioner, decided to run, characterizing himself as a "fresh face at City Hall." He said the core issue for the election was "how we grow and change." The usual way of doing things wasn't working and it was time for fresh ideas. Dailey also was FSU student government president.

Things got prickly several times between Daniels and Dailey at several candidate forums and the Democrat's editorial board meeting.

Dailey raised the most money, $171,000, and spent all but $8,600.

Contact Schweers at jschweers@tallahassee.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffschweers.