Three incumbents want to reclaim their city commission seats in Holmes Beach in November.
Will they have challengers?
The answer to the question will come during the city’s five-day candidate qualifying period, which will begin at noon Monday, Aug. 23, and end at noon Friday, Aug. 27.
Over that time, potential candidates must file forms that detail a campaign bank account and appoint a campaign treasurer with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Potential candidates also must obtain 10 signatures from registered voters in the city, submit an affidavit of residency and pay the $76.90 qualifying fee — 1% of the $7,690 annual pay for Holmes Beach commissioners.
Commissioners Jim Kihm, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek — whose terms expire in November — have told The Islander they will seek reelection.
Lacking a challenger, they would automatically retain their seats.
If more than three candidates qualify to run, the city’s 2,829 voters — the number of people registered as of July 1 — will decide the Nov. 2 race. In the event of a four-way or more challenge, the top three vote-getters will take office.
SEO assistant supervisor Scott Farrington told The Islander that no one had begun the qualification process for a commission seat as of Aug. 12.
The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 4.
For more information, go online to www.votemanatee.com.
— Ryan Paice