A familiar face might return to the Holmes Beach City Commission for the first time since 1998.
Carol Whitmore, a former city commissioner and mayor, told The Islander June 7 that she filed forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office announcing her intent to run for commissioner in the Nov. 5 election.
Whitmore was elected in 1991 to the city commission, which she served until 1998, when she was elected mayor.
She was reelected three times and served as mayor until 2006, when she won a seat on the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.
Whitmore, a Republican, served on the county board until 2022, when she lost the at-large District 6 GOP primary race to Jason Bearden.
She told The Islander that she had many existing relationships with people at the federal, state and local levels due to her experience and wanted to help the city repair some of its own relationships.
“I love where I live, so I figured I’d throw my name in the hat,” Whitmore said. “I’ll help however I can to close my political career.”
Whitmore will face competition in the general election for the city commission.
The mayoral post and two city commission seats are up for grabs in the upcoming nonpartisan general election.
While incumbent Commissioner Greg Kerchner will not seek reelection, Commissioner Dan Diggins has filed forms with the SEO declaring his intent to run for a second term.
Additionally, planning commissioner Steven Oelfke filed candidacy forms June 7 with the SEO to declare his intent to run for a commission seat — meaning there would be at least three candidates for two spots.
Oelfke did not respond to a June 7 call from The Islander.
Mayor Judy Titsworth — granddaughter of the city’s namesake John Holmes Sr. — also will face competition in her pursuit of a fourth term.
Titsworth, a lifelong islander, was elected as mayor in 2018 and reelected without opposition in 2020 and 2022.
Michael “Mike” Roth, a political newcomer to the city, filed forms with the SEO in January declaring his intent to run for mayor.
As of June 7, Titsworth was the only candidate with reported campaign contributions or campaign expenses.
According to the SEO’s website, votemanatee.com, Titsworth reported a $1,000 contribution to herself, as well as a $3 expense for temporary checks at a bank.
The city’s qualification period began June 10 and will end at noon Friday, June 14.
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.