The Florida League of Cities has recognized Crestview Mayor JB Whitten and Councilman Shannon Hayes with a 2026 Home Rule Hero Award for their advocacy work during the 2026 Legislative Session.
- The league, which represents Florida’s municipal governments, honored the two officials for sharing the community’s needs, local data and real-world examples with state lawmakers throughout the session.
“Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said Casey Cook, FLC chief of legislative affairs. “By engaging early, often, and thoughtfully, they helped elevate the municipal perspective and reinforce the importance of local decision-making. We sincerely appreciate their dedication and are proud to recognize their advocacy on behalf of Florida’s cities.”
Whitten, who has previously received the recognition, said the award reflects the value of direct engagement with state legislators.
“I am honored to receive this award again. It recognizes that my person-to-person contact, my emails, and constant communication with our State Representatives and Senators is having an impact; something all elected officials must do to protect our state constitutional right to ‘Home Rule,'” Whitten said.
Hayes added, “Stand for what is right, even if you must stand alone.”
Home Rule refers to a city’s ability to address local problems with local solutions while minimizing state interference. The award recognizes local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who consistently respond to the league’s requests to contact state legislators and provide a local perspective on pending issues.
