The race to succeed Mayor Bob Johnson in Holmes Beach grew more interesting May 22 with two lifelong city residents saying they are ready to run.
Johnson’s second two-year term expires in November and he is not running for re-election.
Commission Chair Judy Titsworth, a Holmes Beach native, confirmed she is a contender for the top city seat, having first indicated her intent to run in a February story in The Islander.
A mayoral run is “looking likely,” Titsworth said with a wide smile prior to gaveling open a commission meeting/work session.
Holmes Beach native Joshua Linney, sitting in the gallery, said he, too, is mulling a mayoral challenge.
“I’m very much considering it,” Linney said.
Linney, a member of the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee, has for months been a fixture and frequent contributor at city commission and planning commission meetings.
The speed-talking Linney often is asked to slow down as he speaks at the podium.
“I know I’ll have to learn to slow down when I talk,” Linney said.
Titsworth said in February candidates should sit on the commission first before making a run at mayor.
“I’ve always thought in order to be a good mayor you ought to be a commissioner first,” Titsworth said. “The learning curve is huge.”
However, Titsworth first considered a run against former Mayor Rich Bohnenberger in 2012, before Carmel Monti stepped up to run for — and won —the seat.
Commissioner Pat Morton also intends to run for re-election.
“Yes,” Morton said when asked if he will run again.
Morton is the most experienced commissioner, having been re-elected seven times since joining the commission in 2003.
Titsworth’s run for mayor will open a commission seat to a possible newcomer.
Seven candidates have picked up registration packets from city clerk Stacey Johnston, including Kim Rash, a possible candidate for a commission seat or for mayor; and possible charter commission candidates David Cheshire, Major Leckie and Terry Schaefer. Linney, Morton and Titsworth also picked up packets.
Leckie may be considering a run himself or possibly picked up the candidate packet for wife Pam Leckie, Johnston said. Pam Leckie serves on the Holmes Beach ad hoc committee charged with recommending a form of government along with Schaefer and Cheshire.
In the nonpartisan Nov. 6 municipal election, Holmes Beach voters will elect a mayor and two city commissioners to two-year terms, and five charter review commission members, who will serve until amendments or revisions to the charter, if any, are incorporated into a city ordinance by the city commission for placement on the ballot for the next election.
The mayor earns $24,000 in annual salary. Commissioners earn $6,000.
Candidates for Holmes Beach office must be U.S. citizens, registered voters in Manatee County and a city resident for two years before qualifying.
The candidate election assessment fee is $240 for mayor, $60 for commissioner and free for the charter commission, which is a volunteer position.
Candidates may file an oath of undue burden if they cannot afford or do not want to pay the fees.
All candidates must collect 15 petition signatures from voters living in the city and file a candidate residency affidavit.
Before opening a campaign bank account or accepting or spending funds, candidates also must appoint a campaign treasurer and establish a campaign depository.
There are 2,791 voters registered in the city as of May 23.
Candidate qualifying will open at noon Monday, June 18, and close at noon Friday, June 22.
Voter registration open, qualifying dates set
Voter registration is open for the state’s primary, which will be Tuesday, Aug. 28.
Registration will close July 30.
Registration for the general election, which will be Tuesday, Nov. 6, will close Oct. 9.
Qualifying for municipal elections, which take place Nov. 6, will be in June — noon June 18 to noon June 22 in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Anna Maria’s qualification will begin at noon
June 11 and end at noon June 22.
In early May, the county reported 102,547 registered Republican voters, 72,134 registered Democratic voters and 62,556 other voters for a total of 237,237 registered voters.
For more information, go online to votemanatee.com or call the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 941-741-3823.
Holmes Beach upcoming
election at a glance
Contested seats: Mayor to succeed Bob Johnson, who said he will not run. Commission seats held by Pat Morton and Judy Titsworth. Five charter commission seats.
Candidate qualifying period: Noon Monday, June 18, to noon Friday, June 22.
Voter registration: Closes Monday, Oct. 9.
Election Day: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Polling places: Precinct 303, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive; and Precinct 305, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive.
Registered voters: 2,791, as of May 23.
Qualifying officer: City clerk Stacey Johnston.
Information: votermanatee.com.