The Florida League of Cities (FLC) named Pensacola City Councilman Charles Bare a 2025 Home Rule Hero, highlighting his exceptional advocacy during this year’s Legislative Session. The award recognizes his commitment to empowering local communities and ensuring their voices are heard at the state level.
Why this matters: Home Rule—the principle that allows cities to address local challenges with local solutions—stands as a cornerstone of effective municipal governance. Throughout the session, Councilman Bare championed this principle by providing lawmakers with critical local perspectives, data-driven insights, and compelling real-world examples from Pensacola.
FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook praised this year’s award recipients:
“This session, local leaders stepped up once again, bringing persistence, perspective, and a strong voice for local decision-making to every conversation. The League and our legislative team deeply appreciate their leadership and are proud to recognize the meaningful difference they made for Florida’s cities.”
Upon receiving the award, Councilman Bare expressed his gratitude while emphasizing his continued commitment to his constituents.
“I am humbled to be recognized amongst the hundreds of dedicated members of the Florida League who worked this session to protect and preserve local governance in the State of Florida,” said Bare. “While my top priority is serving the citizens of District 2, I realize the decisions in Tallahassee affect my ability to do so.”
About the Florida League of Cities
Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities serves as the unified voice for municipal governments across the state. The organization champions local self-governance and supports Florida’s cities in meeting the needs of their communities. Their guiding philosophy—”Local Voices Making Local Choices”—emphasizes the crucial role that citizens and city leaders play in building stronger communities throughout Florida.
For more information about the Florida League of Cities, visit flcities.com.