diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
index 5fb1a729f..87a2c3c4a 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -415,6 +415,30 @@ uint32_t MyMesh::getDirectRetransmitDelay(const mesh::Packet *packet) {
   return getRNG()->nextInt(0, 5*t + 1);
 }
 
+uint8_t MyMesh::getForwardPriority(const mesh::Packet* packet, uint8_t default_priority) {
+  // check admin-relevant packet types only
+  uint8_t type = packet->getPayloadType();
+  if (type != PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ && 
+      type != PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE && 
+      type != PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG &&
+      type != PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH) {
+    return default_priority;
+  }
+
+  if (packet->payload_len < 2) return default_priority;
+  uint8_t src_hash = packet->payload[1];  // payload[0] is dest_hash
+
+  // check ACL for admin sender
+  for (int i = 0; i < acl.getNumClients(); i++) {
+    auto client = acl.getClientByIdx(i);
+    if (client->id.isHashMatch(&src_hash) && client->isAdmin()) {
+      return 0;  // highest priority
+    }
+  }
+
+  return default_priority;
+}
+
 bool MyMesh::filterRecvFloodPacket(mesh::Packet* pkt) {
   // just try to determine region for packet (apply later in allowPacketForward())
   if (pkt->getRouteType() == ROUTE_TYPE_TRANSPORT_FLOOD) {
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
index ed9f0c5fc..abbf2818c 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
@@ -146,6 +146,8 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
     return _prefs.multi_acks;
   }
 
+  uint8_t getForwardPriority(const mesh::Packet* packet, uint8_t default_priority) override;
+
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS == 1
   void applyGpsPrefs() {
     sensors.setSettingValue("gps", _prefs.gps_enabled?"1":"0");
diff --git a/src/Mesh.cpp b/src/Mesh.cpp
index 1bda9e962..2c97e9826 100644
--- a/src/Mesh.cpp
+++ b/src/Mesh.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ uint32_t Mesh::getCADFailRetryDelay() const {
   return _rng->nextInt(1, 4)*120;
 }
 
+uint8_t Mesh::getForwardPriority(const Packet* packet, uint8_t default_priority) {
+  return default_priority;
+}
+
 int Mesh::searchPeersByHash(const uint8_t* hash) {
   return 0;  // not found
 }
@@ -330,8 +334,10 @@ DispatcherAction Mesh::routeRecvPacket(Packet* packet) {
     packet->path_len += self_id.copyHashTo(&packet->path[packet->path_len]);
 
     uint32_t d = getRetransmitDelay(packet);
-    // as this propagates outwards, give it lower and lower priority
-    return ACTION_RETRANSMIT_DELAYED(packet->path_len, d);   // give priority to closer sources, than ones further away
+    // lower priority as this propagates outward (closer sources forwarded first)
+    uint8_t default_priority = packet->path_len;
+    uint8_t priority = getForwardPriority(packet, default_priority);
+    return ACTION_RETRANSMIT_DELAYED(priority, d);
   }
   return ACTION_RELEASE;
 }
diff --git a/src/Mesh.h b/src/Mesh.h
index 00f7ed00f..598bddc66 100644
--- a/src/Mesh.h
+++ b/src/Mesh.h
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ class Mesh : public Dispatcher {
    */
   virtual uint8_t getExtraAckTransmitCount() const;
 
+  /**
+   * \brief  Override to adjust packet forwarding priority
+   * \param  packet  packet being routed
+   * \param  default_priority  priority from base routing (lower = higher priority)
+   * \returns  adjusted priority
+   */
+  virtual uint8_t getForwardPriority(const Packet* packet, uint8_t default_priority);
+
   /**
    * \brief  Perform search of local DB of peers/contacts.
    * \returns  Number of peers with matching hash