Local election season is here, and political mass texts are pinging many residents’ cell phones.
The texts are annoying for many, but one message sent this week has drawn the ire and denouncement of two candidates in the Tallahassee City Commission seat 3 race.
A text, claiming to be from the Build Data Centers Now Political Action Committee, endorses both Talethia Edwards and PJ Perez for city commission. It reads “We trust PJ Perez and Talethia Edwards to bring datacenters to Tallahassee.”
But, according to federal and state election financial reporting websites, that PAC doesn’t exist, and both Edwards and Perez are denouncing its contents.
In an interview with WFSU News, Perez says he backs a full ban on data centers in the city.
“I stand with the County Commission, who unanimously voted for a moratorium on building new data centers, and I will work with my colleagues on all sides of Monroe Street, City, County, and Capitol to protect Tallahassee's precious resources from exploitation,” he said.
Edwards told WFSU the text was part of a strategy to confuse voters.
“I do not support data centers, and I've never received this endorsement. Our community is united against these negative tactics, and my campaign will continue to bring people together around real issues,” she said.
It’s unclear who is responsible for the text message. However, when you reply "stop" to the message, the words "Citizens in Control" are returned in the response. That is the name of a political committee registered to Jon Bermudez in Miami.
Other candidates in the race include Daryl “Dar Wavemaker” Alfred, Tom Derzypolski, Max Herrle and Norm Roche. They will be on the ballot during the Aug. 18th Primary.
