Election season is heating up in Holmes Beach before the city’s qualification window even opens.
Three candidates had filed forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office as of May 31, including incumbent Mayor Judy Titsworth, mayoral challenger Michael “Mike” Roth and incumbent Commissioner Dan Diggins.
The city’s qualification period will begin at noon Monday, June 10, and end at noon Friday, June 14.
The mayoral post and two city commission seats will be determined in the Nov. 5 general election. All city elections are nonpartisan.
Titsworth, the granddaughter of the city’s namesake, John Holmes Sr., was elected as mayor in 2018 and reelected without opposition in 2020 and 2022.
She filed candidacy forms May 28 with the SEO announcing her intent to run for reelection.
However, this year, Titsworth will face competition.
Roth, a political newcomer to the city, filed forms with the SEO in January to declare his intent to run for the mayor’s office.
On the other hand, there is a lack of competition so far for two commission seats.
Diggins filed candidacy forms May 29 to run for reelection but Commissioner Greg Kerchner will not seek reelection.
None of the candidates had reported any contributions or expenses to the SEO as of May 31, according to its website, votemanatee.com.
Holmes Beach mayors earn a $28,160 annual salary.
Commissioners receive an $8,080 annual salary.
Both offices have two-year terms.
There were 2,440 registered voters in Holmes Beach as of May 31, according to the SEO.
To qualify with the SEO, candidates must open an official campaign bank account, appoint a treasurer and file a designation of campaign depository form before accepting contributions or using expenses.
Then, a candidate must file a statement of candidacy with the SEO within 10 days of filing the financial forms.
Finally, nonpartisan candidates must pay a filing fee of 4% of one year’s salary of the office sought, or present certification of petition signatures equal to 1% of the voters from the municipality’s last general election.
If prospective candidates fail to qualify with the SEO before the end of the city’s qualifying window, they cannot run in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
The deadline to register to vote in the election is Monday, Oct. 7.