Commissioner Dan Diggins pulled out a convincing win for the mayor’s seat in the Nov. 3 election, running up 58.64% of the vote as compared to his opponent’s 47.95% in the first tally posted by the supervisor of elections.
A later posting on election night put Diggins at 825 votes to David Zaccagino’s 756. The percentages were Diggins 52.18 and Zaccagnino 47.82.
Diggins was celebrating with his wife, campaign helpers and friends, but took a moment to tell the Islander by phone, “I’m pleased with the results. I will do the city well and do what I promised. I’ll hold resident advisory committee meetings and I’ll be very transparent. Most of all, I want to thank everyone for voting.”
The outcome is not expected to change and Diggins will be sworn in as the new mayor in Holmes Beach.
Carol Whitmore, an incumbent, topped the three candidates vying for two available commission seats with 863 votes or 35.30%.
Mark Hebdon will take a seat with 33.87% or 828 votes and John Azzata, the low votegetter with 754, lost his bid to serve the city.
Anna Maria saw incumbents retain their seats without opposition, including Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short and Commissioners Chris Arendt and Gary McMullen.
Bradenton Beach Commissioner Scott Bear also had no opposition but a vacant seat remains on the city commission — to be determined.
