Michael “Mike” Roth is beginning a campaign for Holmes Beach’s mayoral post.
Roth told The Islander Feb. 13 that he felt a “call to action” to get involved with the city by running for mayor in November, only months after his military career is set to end.
The office is currently held by Judy Titsworth, who was elected mayor in 2018 and reelected without opposition in 2020 and 2022. She has told The Islander she plans to run for another two-year term as mayor.
Roth submitted documents to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office Jan. 30 to add his name to the Holmes Beach ballot in this year’s municipal election.
Roth grew up in Lakeland and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989 and has spent 34 years in continuous active service in the Army and the Florida Army National Guard, resulting in his rank as lieutenant colonel and time as a Green Beret commander.
His military career has included overseas deployments, including five combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, but he has been approved for retirement and expects to conclude his military career by the end of this month.
Between time in the military, Roth also launched a banking career. He currently works as the West Florida area executive and corporate group manager for City National Bank.
Roth purchased a duplex in the 200 block of 64th Street in Holmes Beach in 2006 as a second home while he and his wife, Casey, lived in Tampa.
He purchased another Holmes Beach property in 2020, this time at 111 75th St., which he and his wife now call their primary address.
Roth still owns his Tampa home, where he claimed a homestead exemption as recently as 2022, as well as the 64th Street duplex, a rental unit that allows hosting family members.
He said others have encouraged him to run for office in the past but he was not ready, due to his careers.
Now that his retirement is approved, Roth said he is looking to become more involved with the city.
Roth recently spoke at a city meeting in opposition to Manatee County’s proposed parking garage at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, which he said was unnecessary and a “huge waste of money.”
He also voiced concern about the potential consolidation of the island cities, noting his preferred option would be to leave the cities as they are and allow them to coordinate on a limited consolidation of services.
Roth said those issues further piqued his interest in running for mayor, and that he is “particularly disappointed” in Titsworth for failing to secure at least one vote against the county parking garage.
“There are areas where we can definitely improve our situation and get a lot stronger, and have better connectivity with the (Manatee Board of County Commissioners),” he said.
The mayor earns a $28,160 annual salary in Holmes Beach.
The window to qualify to run for office in Holmes Beach will open at noon Monday, June 10, and close at noon Friday, June 14.