Florida GOP celebrates Michael Rohan’s win as ‘first Republican’ Panama City mayor
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (FLV) – Panama City elected their first ever Republican mayor, Dr. Michael “Doc” Rohan, who defeated 12-year incumbent mayor Greg Brudnicki in the runoff election, the Republican Party of Florida celebrates.
“History made in Panama City! Congratulations to Michael ‘Doc’ Rohan who becomes the first Republican mayor of Panama City!” the GOP tweeted.
“Thanks again to Bay County’s Republican Executive Committee for the backing! Much appreciated as we will work together to move Panama City Forward!” Rohan said on Facebook.
Rohan defeated Brudnicki 51-48. The race was within a few hundred votes.
About 17% of voters turned out for the runoff election, according to the Bay County Elections website.
“Thanks again to Bay County’s Republican Executive Committee for the backing! Much appreciated as we will work together to move Panama City Forward!” Rohan wrote on Facebook.
“Congrats Republican Doc Rohan – He becomes the 1st Republican Mayor in Panama City history (that they know of) by defeating a 12yr incumbent Democrat tonight! Solid work by BayGOP Chair @ThoBishop & SCM George Norris for leading the effort,” GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler said.
Following the loss, Brudnicki told WMBB he was “very sad.”
“You know, I’ve given 12 years to the city. I know that we’ve gotten a lot of great things started off, you know, the hurricane was what, so many years ago, four years ago, four and half years ago. So many things that we’ve done to rebuild. I guess it just wasn’t quick enough for everybody,” Brudnicki told the outlet.
Brudniki led the city in the recovery of Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Sally, two rounds of COVID-19, and Northwest Florida’s largest wildfire.
Florida’s Voice recently reported during a recent interview, Rohan refused to say if he still wants to lower the distance sexual offenders can live from schools, after video surfaced of him previously advocating for the distance to be lowered.
Sam Peebles defeated Brian Lee Gray for Lynn Haven Commissioner Seat 1, 68-31.
