Dianne Williams-Cox was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in November 2018, the same year as fellow commissioner Jeremy Matlow.
“I have listened to and stood up for our community and city as a whole and I hope you have taken notice of my earnest desire to serve,” Williams-Cox said. “I have filed for re-election to the Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5 so that we can continue the great work that we have started to move our city forward.”
Williams-Cox is a native of Quincy and earned a degree at Florida A&M University in data processing technology and subsequently earned a master’s in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Inspired by her high school government teacher, Carl Daniels, Williams-Cox learned the importance of being active in the political process not only as a voter but as a participant in helping others become informed.
Williams-Cox has been a leading advocate for enhanced women’s rights, including equal pay and eradicating workplace harassment. She encouraged commissioners to take meetings into the neighborhoods where inequities are obvious and where people feel they have no influence. At school board meetings, she voiced concern over failing schools on the city’s south side.
Her years of championing others; causes helped make Williams-Cox the recipient of the Capital Outlook’s “Community Advocate of the Year” award in 2018.
Her service to the community also became noticeable through her service to the Florida and Leon County Democratic Party. She has served as public relations chair for the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee, president of the Capital City Democratic
Women’s Club, and Region 1 chair for the Democratic Women of Florida. Williams-Cox has most recently served as vice chairwoman for the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee until her election to the City Commission.
“As your city commissioner, you can call on and count on me to serve the needs of all citizens. Thirty-two years of public and private sector work experience and working with you have resulted in improving the lives of citizens and bettering our neighborhoods.
“Front-line experience as a volunteer, contributor, and leader of many community projects, has provided me the relationships needed to put thoughts into action. This work needs to continue and with your support, it will,” she added.
Although Commissioner Williams-Cox may be headed in the right direction, there are some challenges on the way. Former Tallahassee NAACP President Adner Marcelin has registered to run against her, and they are likely to meet in an August primary. He is a consultant for Tallahassee-based lawyer Ben Crump’s firm, where he previously worked as the firm’s administrator for more than ten years.
He said he is running because he believes the citizens of Tallahassee are tired of seeing “business as usual” at City Hall and are ready for change. He said his experience as a civil rights advocate could help bring that change.
“The residents of our neighborhoods, they’re tired of being ignored, while we have major, big special interests that continue to pull the strings at our local government,” Marcelin said.
Williams-Cox said she is ready to defend her position as a commissioner.
“I’m proud of my record,” she said, “which is the votes that I have taken to help the citizens of Tallahassee and move the city forward.
Williams-Cox has a sizable fundraising head start over Marcelin. She has reported $32,535 raised, which includes $19,825 in October alone.
Williams-Cox married her high school sweetheart, Thomas “Tommy” Cox. She and her husband of 35 years have three adult sons and six grandchildren.