Tallahassee’s Premier Political Forum

Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday for our Tallahassee Mayoral General Election Debate! It was an incredibly cordial, thoughtful, and engaging discussion, with great questions, an enthusiastic audience, and wonderful participation from our Board, members, and guests.

Capital Tiger Bay Club is especially grateful to our moderator, Gary Fineout of POLITICO, and mayoral candidates Loranne Ausley and Jeremy Matlow, along with their teams, for the time and preparation that went into making this program such a success, especially during the final stretch of the campaign.

Thank you also to our Capital Tiger Bay Club members for submitting questions and participating in our 2026 General Election Debate Series. Our programming is what keeps our Club going, and we appreciate everyone who helped make this another great event!

The October 27 program continues Capital Tiger Bay Club’s longstanding tradition of providing members and guests an opportunity to hear directly from candidates before casting their ballots — and offers a timely opportunity to hear from both mayoral candidates during the final week of the 2026 General Election.

We captured some great moments from Tuesday’s program! Click here to view the full photo gallery.

Here are the results of our members-only straw poll following the program:

10/27/26 Capital Tiger Bay Club Mayoral Debate Straw Poll Results

Who won today’s Tallahassee Mayoral Debate?

Loranne Ausley — 72% (47 votes)

Jeremy Matlow — 28% (18 votes)

65 total ballots cast

Thanks to all who participated!

In case you weren’t able to attend, here is coverage from the event:

Election Day Reminder: Tuesday, November 3!

As we wrap up our 2026 General Election Debate Series, we encourage all eligible voters to make their voices heard in this year’s election.

And up next: Our November 17 Luncheon.

Capital Tiger Bay Club looks forward to welcoming longtime friend of Capital Tiger Bay, USF’s Dr. Susan MacManus, on Tuesday, November 17, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Join the Capital Tiger Bay Club on Tuesday, November 17, as we welcome back Dr. Susan MacManus, USF Distinguished University Professor Emerita and one of Florida’s most respected political analysts, for her highly anticipated post-election analysis of the 2026 General Election.

A longtime favorite of Capital Tiger Bay Club, Dr. MacManus returns to break down the results of what promises to be an exciting and consequential election. From Florida’s statewide and congressional races to key legislative contests and local elections, she’ll share her insights on voter trends, demographic shifts, and the political dynamics that shaped the outcomes, as well as what the results could mean for Florida’s political landscape heading into 2027 and beyond.

A nationally recognized political scientist, author, and frequent media commentator, Dr. MacManus brings decades of experience analyzing Florida politics and elections. Her ability to translate complex election data into engaging, accessible insights has made her a sought-after speaker and a familiar face to audiences across the state.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. MacManus back to Capital Tiger Bay Club and hope you’ll join us for what promises to be another engaging and informative program!

RSVPs are now open! Click here for full event details and to reserve your seat

We hope you’ll join us for another engaging program as we continue bringing timely conversations and important perspectives to Tallahassee’s premier political forum.

Capital Tiger Bay Club Welcomes Back

Dr. Susan MacManus

USF Distinguished University Professor

(Political Science) Emerita

Join the Capital Tiger Bay Club on Tuesday, November 17, as we welcome back Dr. Susan MacManus, USF Distinguished University Professor Emerita and one of Florida's most respected political analysts, for her highly anticipated post-election analysis of the 2026 General Election.

A longtime favorite of Capital Tiger Bay Club, Dr. MacManus returns to break down the results of what promises to be an exciting and consequential election. From Florida’s statewide and congressional races to key legislative contests and local elections, she will share her insights on voter trends, demographic shifts, and the political dynamics that shaped the outcomes, as well as what the results could mean for Florida’s political landscape heading into 2027 and beyond.

A nationally recognized political scientist, author, and frequent media commentator, Dr. MacManus brings decades of experience analyzing Florida politics and elections. Her ability to translate complex election data into engaging, accessible insights has made her a sought-after speaker and a familiar face to audiences across the state.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. MacManus back to Capital Tiger Bay Club and hope you will join us for what promises to be another engaging and informative program!

About Our Speaker

Dr. Susan A. MacManus is a USF Distinguished University Professor (Political Science) Emerita. MacManus received her M.A. from the University of Michigan and Ph.D. from Florida State University.

MacManus has authored or co-authored numerous publications on Florida politics, including Florida’s Minority Trailblazers: The Men and Women Who Changed the Face of Florida Government, Politics in Florida. Ten Media Markets, One Powerful State, Young v. Old: Generational Combat in the 21st Century? and Targeting Senior Voters. MacManus and her mother, Elizabeth, authored two local Florida history books: Citrus, Sawmills, Critters &; Crackers: Early Life in Lutz and Central Pasco County and Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories. She is a native Floridian from a citrus-growing family. 

From 1998 to 2015, she served as political analyst for WFLA News Channel 8 (Tampa’s NBC affiliate). Since 2016, she has been the political analyst for ABC Action News Tampa Bay 28 (Tampa’s ABC affiliate). She is a featured columnist on sayfiereview.com—a widely read

Florida-based political website. MacManus has appeared on every major broadcast and cable television and radio network and been interviewed by major newspapers in Florida, the U.S., and abroad. Her in-depth analyses of political, demographic, and socioeconomic data are frequently shared in person with professional, political, nonprofit, and civic groups at all levels. She serves on the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service Council of Advisors, the FSU LeRoy Collins Institute Board, and the Board of Directors of the Florida TaxWatch Center for Florida Citizenship. She chaired the Florida Elections Commission from 1999-2003 and is Florida’s most-quoted political scientist. Susan MacManus is not affiliated with any political party.

We ask members to PLEASE RSVP as soon as you can and NO LATER THAN Thursday, November 12th which allows us to plan for seating and service at the event.

Guest fee for this program is $35. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience so we may provide an accurate headcount for food and beverage.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 17th!

REGISTER NOW!

Become a Capital Tiger Bay Club Member

Click Here: Capital Tiger Bay Membership Application