Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth Announces Retirement as Election Season Begins Across Anna Maria Island
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection, bringing an end to a lengthy tenure in city government after serving six years as a commissioner and eight years as mayor.
Titsworth shared her decision in a resignation letter released May 21, confirming that her time in office will conclude following the November elections.
Shortly after the announcement, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins declared his candidacy for mayor. Diggins was first elected to the commission in 2022 and won reelection in 2024.
The upcoming Holmes Beach election cycle will determine who fills the seats currently held by Titsworth, Diggins and Commissioner Carol Whitmore.
In Bradenton Beach, Ward 3 Commissioner Ralph Cole also announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection. Cole’s term will end after the November election.
The Ward 2 seat currently held by Commissioner Scott Bear will also appear on the ballot this year, although Bear has not publicly announced whether he plans to run again.
Meanwhile, in Anna Maria, the upcoming election cycle will determine the future of seats currently held by Mayor Mark Short and commissioners Chris Arendt and Gary McMullen. None have publicly addressed their reelection plans.
Candidate qualifying periods are also approaching across the island communities. In Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, the one-week qualifying period opens at noon on Monday, June 8, and closes at noon on Friday, June 12.
In Anna Maria, the qualifying period begins earlier, opening at noon on Monday, June 1, and closing at noon on Friday, June 12.
Additional information on qualifying requirements and becoming a candidate is available through the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website.