The political landscape in Tallahassee has been shaken by the resignation of Kristellys Estanga, campaign manager for mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow. This development follows an investigation into a fake Facebook page that was allegedly used to sway public opinion in the upcoming local elections.
The controversy began when it was discovered that a Facebook page initially named “Pause the TMH Deal – Vote No on Dec 10” was renamed to “Tallahassee Conservatives” on July 23, 2026. This page was used to disseminate information targeting Talietha Edwards, a candidate for city commission seat 3, who is seen as a competitor to Matlow’s endorsed candidate, PJ Perez.
Estanga’s Resignation and Admission
Kristellys Estanga, who also managed the campaign for PJ Perez, submitted her resignation after the allegations surfaced. In her statement, Estanga admitted to creating the fake Facebook page but claimed she acted alone. However, sources close to the investigation suggest that the operation was a team effort involving more individuals than just Estanga.
The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to confirm the extent of Jeremy Matlow’s involvement in the controversy. Matlow’s campaign has been linked to the Facebook page through financial records and advertising activities, raising questions about the candidate’s awareness and approval of the deceptive tactics.
The Role of Tallahassee ALERT
Tallahassee ALERT, a Black-led civic network, found itself inadvertently entangled in the scandal. The original Facebook page name was associated with their efforts to challenge the TMH deal. However, after the name change to “Tallahassee Conservatives,” ALERT officials were baffled and quickly distanced themselves from the page, denying any involvement in its current activities.
The confusion arose when ALERT officials noticed that remnants of their previous association with the page were still visible. This led to concerns about the potential misuse of their name and reputation in the political maneuvering. ALERT officials have been cooperative with the investigation, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Matlow Connection
Documents reveal that Estanga is connected to Corsair Campaigns, which has received $9,500 from the Matlow campaign. Financial reports also list Estanga as Matlow’s campaign manager. Additionally, the Matlow campaign ran political advertisements on posts tied to the Facebook account when it was still named “Pause the TMH Deal on Dec 10.”
The process of running political advertisements on Facebook is detailed and transparent, requiring authorization as an advertiser or admin in Facebook Business Manager. This indicates a close connection between the Matlow campaign and the administrators of the Facebook account. The investigation is delving deeper into these connections to determine the full extent of the campaign’s involvement.
As the story continues to unfold, the political landscape in Tallahassee remains under scrutiny. The resignation of Kristellys Estanga and the allegations of a fake Facebook page have cast a shadow over the upcoming elections, highlighting the complexities and challenges of modern political campaigns.
