Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor Honored with 2026 Home Rule Hero Award
301 S. Bronough St., Suite 300 ● Post Office Box 1757 ● Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757
850.222.9684 ● Fax: 850.222.3806 ● Website: flcities.com
Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor Honored with
2026 Home Rule Hero Award
Westlake official recognized for advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative Session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026
CONTACT: Odet Izquierdo
info@westlakegov.com / 561-530-5880
City of Westlake, FL – The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor with a 2026 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative Session. O’Connor worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices by sharing insights, local data, and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities.
“Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “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.”
Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
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Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities, which are formed and governed by their citizens. The League believes in “Local Voices Making Local Choices,” which focuses on the impact citizens and city leaders have in improving Florida’s communities. For more information, visit flcities.com.
