Diane Williams Cox and Dot Inman Johnson are running for a seat that could shift the balance of power at City Hall. The race for the city of Tallahassee's Commission seat 5.
The two sat down for a tense forum Monday hosted by the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee and the Capital Region News Collaborative.
There is currently a 3-2 split among the commissioners, with Williams Cox typically aligning with the conservative majority. Inman Johnson has close ties with those in the more progressive minority faction.
The outcome of this election could change that dynamic.
Williams Cox says with her seven years of experience in office, she thinks she is better suited to lead Tallahassee into the future. And she says she offers constituents' consistency.
"I believe this is a time for continuity. Change is great, but it has to be managed properly. I believe that what we have done, we've managed change," Williams Cox said.
Inman Johnson says she thinks she is better suited having led Tallahassee in 1984 when she made history as the first Black Woman to be elected mayor.
"My opponent represents broken promises to the citizens of Tallahassee in terms of growth, in terms of jobs, in terms of funding for all areas of this community and I represent change, meaning correcting many of the problems that have occurred in finances and other areas of the city," Inman Johnson said.
The candidates differ on the challenges they'll prioritize if elected.
Inman Johnson says it'll be the city's 25% poverty rate.
"Which takes into account the affordable housing crisis we have, jobs. It takes into account the need to provide health and safety against crime," Inman Johnson said.
For Williams Cox, it will be housing.
"Housing inventory is low, that makes being able to afford the American dream of a home one that people are still trying to attain and so what we need to do and we're doing that with some of our partners in the community, is that we need to make sure that we increase our housing inventory," Williams Cox said.
The candidates also discussed the job market.
Williams Cox said her plan to get high paying employers to the area is to follow a similar practice already at work at City Hall.
"My plan is to support those organizations that are able to create high paying jobs by providing training, providing funding, providing resources, and getting people to those individuals to be able to get this training," Williams Cox said.
Inman Johnson said if elected, she plans to attract desirable employers.
"Attracting environmentally sound corporations and those that will bring high paying jobs to our community, and also provide for opportunities for apprenticeships, for new people who don't have a college degree to enter and earn a good living," Inman Johnson said.
The candidates will appear on ballots of registered voters in Tallahassee during the general election Nov. 3.
To catch a replay of the forum, visit the WFSU Public Media YouTube page.
