HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying is over, and the race has officially begun for two city commission seats and the position of mayor. With challengers in each race, no incumbent is safe this year.
Incumbent Mayor Judy Titsworth will face off with newcomer to the Anna Maria Island political scene, Michael John Roth. Current Commissioner Dan Diggins will oppose Steven Oelfke, Bill Romberger and former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore for one of two open spots on the city commission dais. In the commission race, the top two vote-getters will take the open seats. Commissioner Greg Kerchner opted not to run for re-election in November.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
MICHAEL ROTH
Roth is a Tampa businessman and newcomer to Anna Maria Island politics. His political website, www. ILikeMikeForMayor.com, states that his attachment to Manatee County began with his family being members of the Bradenton Yacht Club since 1972. According to his website, he has been a property owner in Holmes Beach for over 20 years. Property records show that his property was homesteaded in 2021. 
Roth’s residential property in Tampa is listed as the address for his business, Archangel Technologies, a commercial and government contractor dealing with healthcare staffing, oncology, medical physicists and business and financial consulting. His wife, Casey, is listed as his business partner. His political website also states that Roth is a veteran, having served 34 years in the U.S. Army.
According to his website, Roth is running for mayor because he feels the city is in need of strong leadership and experience in light of the state of Florida and Manatee County attacks on home rule in the city. His statements go on to note that he would work to interact with local and state leaders in the way they expect a mayor to respond.
JUDY TITSWORTH
Titsworth is no stranger to Holmes Beach politics, having served as a city commissioner from 2012-18 and as mayor since November 2018. If re-elected, this would be her fourth term as mayor.
Titsworth said she feels being mayor of a city like Holmes Beach is a full-time job and gave up her position with Shoreline Builders to commit herself fully to working at the city. The city she serves was named for her grandfather, Jack Holmes. In addition to her work in the local political arena, Titsworth also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator. A lifelong Holmes Beach resident, Titsworth grew up on Anna Maria Island, leaving, she said, only to attend college before returning to raise her children in the Island city.
As mayor, she’s held the line against the encroachment of paid parking in Holmes Beach and actively works on initiatives to improve water quality and reduce overdevelopment.
COMMISSION CANDIDATES
DAN DIGGINS
Diggins was first elected to the city commission in 2022 and is seeking his second term on the dais. A Holmes Beach resident since 2011, Diggins previously worked as a commercial pilot, air traffic controller, airport/airspace designer and a worldwide aircraft accident investigator. Now Diggins says he enjoys working with his fellow commissioners and playing golf at least twice a week.
While on the commission, Diggins has served as the commission liaison for the Island Transportation Planning Organization, Manatee County Council of Governments and as an alternate for the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center.
STEVEN OELFKE
Oelfke is ready to take a leap in local politics and move to the city commission. Currently, he serves Holmes Beach on the city’s planning commission with a term expiring July 1, 2026. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been Holmes Beach residents since 2011.
BILL ROMBERGER
Romberger is a newcomer to the Holmes Beach political scene but has been an active community member as both a Realtor and member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. He and his family owned and operated the Tropic Isle Inn in Bradenton Beach for over 12 years. Now he works as a Realtor and is seeking a first term in political office.
CAROL WHITMORE
Whitmore, a longtime political figure and Holmes Beach resident, is stepping back into the spotlight after 18 months in the private sector. Previously, she served as a Holmes Beach commissioner and mayor before being elected as a Manatee County at-large commissioner. Now Whitmore says she’s ready to come back to her community to serve as a commissioner, where she hopes she can use her political knowledge to help the city in its fight against government overreach from county and state officials.
