While the PNJ has garnered social media attention with its headline, “Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and Rep. Alex Andrade aren’t speaking,” Mayor D.C. Reeves, at his weekly press conference, said he isn’t asking for specific dollar amounts for the city’s three priorities—Pensacola International Airport, Port of Pensacola and Childcare Access.
- “There’s never been an exact number we’ve ever asked for, both state or federal, that comes in because that was the number we’ve asked for,” the mayor said, citing recent experience where the city requested $21 million in federal funding for the airport expansion and received $4 million.
The two do not get along, but politicians being at odds is nothing new. Neither has put their personal feelings ahead of doing what’s best for the City of Pensacola. Rep. Andrade has fought for funds for several projects inside the city limits, the latest being the Rafferty Center.
Plus, the mayor is not depending on state lawmakers for any funding in the 2026-27 budget.
Mayor Reeves said he would lean on the city’s lobbyists. “That’s what we have lobbyists for in D.C. and in Tallahassee—to help us see if this funding stream’s available and this is not.
- Professional advocates help identify when specific funding opportunities become available and which mechanisms offer the best chance of success.
Pensacola employs professional lobbyists to navigate the complex funding landscape:
- Shumaker Advisors and Ballard Partners in Tallahassee for state-level advocacy
- Ballard in Washington for federal opportunities
Navigating Political Uncertainty
The mayor acknowledged significant uncertainty in the upcoming legislative session, particularly around property tax limitations and other policy changes that could dramatically alter available funding.
- “If we’re starting to talk about taking away property tax, that changes everything drastically,” he warned.
Mayor Reeves was candid about the difficulties ahead. “I think this is going to be extremely challenging from a veto standpoint this session.”