04-04-2025
Bay County candidates discuss city's future at First Friday
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Candidates in five different races got the chance to speak to residents and business owners earlier today at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce's First Friday at FSU Panama City.
Candidates for commissioner seats 3 and 4 in Lynn Haven, commissioner for wards 1 and 4 in Panama City, and Panama City mayoral candidates all shared some of their ideas and reasoning for why they should get residents' votes.
One of the most important races in this election cycle is between incumbent Panama City Mayor Doc Rohan and challenger Allan Branch.
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Rohan believes a lot of work still needs to be done to fix Panama City, and the best way to do that is to elect others who think the same way he does.
'I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Two like-minded people came to me and said, 'I want to help you.' Demetrius Rease he's running in Ward IV, and Ed Young is running in Ward I,' said Rohan. 'These are conservative Republicans, and they will do what they can to help me turn Panama City around.'
Branch, on the other hand, used his time to stress the importance of keeping residents and businesses in Panama City for the long haul.
He believes that is one of the ways the city can improve.
'I want a town where no one leaves because opportunities are better somewhere else. I want people moving here because the opportunities are here,' said Branch. 'I would love to serve this community as mayor. I would love to lift people up with my words. I would love to push things forward. We have come so far since Hurricane Michael.'
Early voting for the Lynn Haven and Panama City elections will take place between Monday, April 14th, and Friday, April 18th.
Election Day will be on Tuesday, April 22nd.
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