Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth isn’t running in the Nov. 2 election, but she’s leaning her weight into the race.
Five candidates are on this year’s ballot for three city commission seats, currently held by Commissioners Terry Schaefer, Carol Soustek and Jim Kihm.
While Kihm declined to run at the 11th hour, Schaefer and Soustek were committed to continuing their work for the city.
They will be challenged by policital newcomer Renee Ferguson and former Commissioners John Monetti and Pat Morton.
Titsworth emailed The Islander Oct. 6 with her endorsement for the incumbents and also indicated her support for Morton, urging voters to get involved before the election.
“This November I urge you to support the two commissioners who are running to retain their seats and an experienced commissioner who is hoping to regain his seat and again put his passion into representing our residents,” Titsworth wrote. “These three candidates have done an awesome job of preserving the community, keeping spending to a minimum and supporting government services.”
Schaefer was elected to a two-year term on the commission in 2019 and serves as the city’s liaison to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria Elementary School and the city police pension board.
Soustek, who serves as the commission’s vice chair, was appointed in 2014 to complete the unexpired term of former Commissioner David Zaccagnino.
She was reelected to her first full two-year term in November 2015 and was reelected in 2017 and 2019.
Titsworth made her choice for the third seat clear Oct. 8 when she was observed campaigning with Morton at the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives.
Morton, a 27-year resident of the city who spent 17 years on the commission, including service with Titsworth, was first elected to the commission in 2003 and served until 2020, when he lost in a four-way race for two seats.
Monetti, a 16-year resident of the city, spent four years as a city planning commission member before he being elected to the city commission in 2006. He served on the city commission for six years before losing his seat in a sweep in 2012.
Titsworth warned in her election endorsement letter that “a small group of citizens often attend meetings to emphasize their issues,” adding that she hoped elected officials “legislate for the good of the entire city, not just for the few who speak the loudest.”
“We need a community safe from crime,” she wrote. “A community we can all be proud of and enjoy calling home. We need (the incumbents’ and Morton’s) legislative experience, integrity and passion on behalf of the city.”
There were 2,768 registered voters in Holmes Beach as of Oct. 8, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Voting began Sept. 24, when mail-in ballots went out from the SEO to applicants.
Mail-in ballots can be requested via phone at 941-741-3823 or online at votemanatee.com.