Michael Foust is one of four candidates running for mayor of Tallahassee.
Foust appeared on WFSU’s Candidate Convos, a digital series featuring one-on-one interviews with local candidates for office in Tallahassee and Leon County ahead of the Aug. 18th primary election.
You can watch the full conversation here:
Foust, an IT entrepreneur, discussed his vision for attracting more entertainment opportunities to Tallahassee. He said bringing larger touring acts to the city could help encourage younger residents to stay while also creating economic opportunities for local artists.
“We'll have more shows come through, and then we have our local artists make bigger artists, and that's economic growth. Then they're touring in shows, and I see this in comedy, you know, and I see it in a lot of different areas in Tallahassee, because to name all the different types of arts is so vast," he said.
When asked how he would bring larger acts to Tallahassee, Foust said it would require actively reaching out and promoting the city.
“You just go convince them. Except for on a date, I don't take no for an answer, you know, it's, it's kind of hard to explain, but it's, it's the face of the capital of Florida,” he said.
Foust also discussed homelessness as a major issue he wants to address if elected mayor. He said he believes current barriers to housing can make it more difficult for people experiencing homelessness to find stability.
“Maybe they have to be sober a certain amount, maybe they can't smell like weed, maybe they have to decide between having all their things in one box or guarding their stuff all night and sleeping outside, it could be they test positive on a breathalyzer, even if they're not drunk. If I spend all day on the street, I might have a beer. And you know, the point is that when you get people into stable housing the addictions get better," he said.
Foust is facing former State Senator Loranne Ausley, Tallahassee City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, and attorney Daryl Parks in the mayoral race.
