Lake Clarke Shores Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich recently took home a 2026 “Legislative Appreciation Award” from the Florida League of Cities (FLC) for supporting the local decision-making authority of municipalities across the state.

The award recognizes lawmakers who consistently champion the Florida League of Cities and its members. Tendrich said she’s “grateful to be recognized for standing up for the voices of our cities and the people they serve.”

“Home rule matters because government is strongest when people feel they are part of it. That means trusting local communities, respecting their voice, and ensuring decisions are made closest to the people. It’s about making sure government works with people — not over them. Without it, higher levels of government can override local decisions, even when communities strongly support them — forcing a one-size-fits-all approach on communities across our state,” she said.

“Every community in Florida is different, and Floridians deserve a voice in the decisions that impact their daily lives. Those decisions should be made in their communities — not taken away from them.”

Tendrich, who represents House District 89, passed three bills this year, including two that supported a firefighters’ pension fund in West Palm Beach.

In March, the Legislature unanimously approved what is likely to be considered a signature piece of legislation by her: a survivor-inspired measure to significantly strengthen safeguards for victims of domestic and dating violence.

She co-sponsored more than a dozen other bills that the Legislature approved, from multiple measures focused on healthcare and Florida veterans to bills dealing with housing, land conservation and education.

She also cast “no” votes against several pieces of legislation harmful to home rule, including a proposal to prohibit cities and counties from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs and a bill to curb the control local governments have over development decisions within their jurisdictions, which Gov. Ron DeSantis ultimately signed.

Tendrich voted against another proposal aimed at eliminating most homestead property taxes, too.

HD 89 covers a large inland portion of Palm Beach County, stretching east from Greenacres to Lake Worth Beach, north from Atlantis to Cloud Lake and containing Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.

Tendrich won her seat in November 2024 with 51% of the vote.

She is currently running for re-election unopposed.

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