Former Tallahassee Mayor Democrat Scott Maddox is returning to local politics after beating his Republican rival for an open city commission seat. The race was supposed to be non-partisan, but not only did party affiliation play a major role, the race also got personal and at times, downright nasty.
Maddox, who is also a former Democratic Party Chairman, ran largely on his name recognition. Meanwhile local Republican and Tea Party favorite Steve Stewart, touted his business background in the open City Commission Seat One Race. Throughout the campaign, both candidates accused the other of elections violations, dirty politics and even physical threats.
Maddox emerged as the victor.
"The last time Mr, Stewart ran against the mayor, you saw the same kind of race," Maddox said when asked about the campaigns negativity.
"The bottom line is, as I said in my television ads, there's nothing wrong with Tallahassee that can't be fixed by what's right about Tallahassee. And that's the message that carried the day."
This was Stewart's second bid for a public office, after narrowly losing to Mayor Jon Marks two years ago. During that same election cycle, Maddox lost his bid for state Agriculture Commissioner.
"I'm going to focus on jobs, try to get better paying jobs in Tallahassee, try to save state employee jobs as well as promote entrepreneurship, small businesses and improve air service," Maddox said.
The former Tallahassee Mayor got 60 percent of the vote to get the City Commission seat that was vacated by retiring commissioner Mark Mustian.
Steve Stewart did not return calls for comment.
