Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey Named 2026 Municipal Official of the Year

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey Named 2026 Municipal Official of the Year

Florida League of Cities presents John Dailey with the 2026 E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award

August 14, 2026

Today, the Florida League of Cities (FLC) honored Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey with the prestigious E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Mayor Dailey's lifelong commitment to local government has made a meaningful difference for communities across our state and serves as an inspiration to leaders everywhere," said 2025-2026 FLC President Holly D. Smith, Councilwoman for the City of Sanibel.

Presented annually, this award is named for Supreme Court Justice E. Harris Drew, the man who coined the League's motto: "Local self-government, the key to American democracy." The award recognizes and honors local elected officials who have made lasting and worthwhile contributions to the citizens of Florida through their efforts and dedication in the performance of their duties at the local level.

"I am honored to receive the E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award. Local government has been at the heart of my life's work, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve. I'm proud of the difference we can make at the local level and thankful to the Florida League of Cities for this recognition," Mayor John Dailey said.

With nearly three decades of service to local government and public policy, Dailey has dedicated his professional life to building strong, vibrant communities across Florida and beyond. Inspired by his father, Dr. John Scott Dailey, former Executive Director of the Florida Institute of Government and two-term Leon County School Board member, he developed an early appreciation for the impact of strong local leadership on community success.

Dailey began his career with the Florida League of Cities in 1996, advocating on behalf of more than 400 municipal governments before the Florida Legislature and state administration. He later represented municipalities nationwide while working for the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C., where he advanced local government priorities before Congress and the federal administration.

A graduate of Florida State University, Dailey earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Administration. He later received a second master's degree from the London School of Economics while serving as an aide in the British Parliament. Upon returning to Tallahassee, he founded a consulting firm focused on local governance and community development.

In 2006, Dailey was elected to the Leon County Commission, where he served three terms and served as chairman twice. In 2018, he was elected Mayor of the City of Tallahassee and was reelected in 2022, continuing his lifelong commitment to public service. During Dailey's tenure as Mayor, the City has been recognized for having the strongest economy in the United States, ranked among the top 20 best-run cities in America and earned the designation of a three-time All-America City, along with numerous other national distinctions reflecting Tallahassee's strong economy, effective leadership and high quality of life for its residents.