The City of Sunrise, Florida along with the Florida League of Cities (FLC) together announce that Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman is distinguished with a 2026 Home Rule Hero Award for her hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative Session. Deputy Mayor Guzman worked tirelessly throughout the 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.

"Being named a Home Rule Hero is an honor, because it reinforces the vital role that municipal governance plays in our lives and those of our neighbors," said Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman. "This award is a testament to our commitment in Sunrise to solve local challenges with local solutions. It also helps validate the hard work we have been doing—and will continue to do—to advocate for our community at the forefront, ensuring that our residents and businesses have the final say in the decisions that shape our city's daily life and define its future. I am honored to continue that advocacy."

Home Rule is the ability for a city to address a community’s specific concerns 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.

Deputy Mayor Guzman was elected to the Sunrise City Commission in November of 2020 and re-elected in 2022. Her leadership focuses on empowering families, supporting small businesses, championing youth and inclusive services, and advocating for public health and safety.

“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.”

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 on FLC, visit www.flcities.com. For more information about the City of Sunrise City Commission, please visit www.sunrisefl.gov/commission.