HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth will not seek reelection.
On Thursday, May 21, Titsworth shared a letter in which she announced she’ll retire from city government when her current term expires soon after the fall election cycle concludes in early November.
On the same day Titsworth announced her pending retirement, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins announced that he will seek the mayor’s seat. Diggins’ expiring two-year commission term will be filled during the upcoming election cycle, as will the commission term currently held by Carol Whitmore, who will seek reelection.
Whitmore and frequent commission meeting attendee Mark Hebden have already filed their preliminary pre-qualifying campaign paperwork and additional candidates may soon join the commission race and the mayor’s race. Holmes Beach’s one-week candidate qualifying period opens at noon on Monday, June 8, and closes at noon on Friday, June 12.
MAYOR’S LETTER
In 2024, Titsworth was elected to her fourth consecutive two-year term as mayor after defeating mayoral candidate Mike Roth by a 41-vote margin.
In her resignation letter, Titsworth wrote, “After 14 years in city government – six as a city commissioner and eight as mayor – I have made the personal decision to retire from public office after the completion of my term. This decision comes after thoughtful reflection about personal energy, purpose and recognizing the right time to step aside.
“One of the clearest signs that the time is right is knowing the city is well-positioned for the future. Holmes Beach is supported by an exceptional team of professionals whose dedication, experience and commitment to this community give me great confidence in the city’s continued success for years to come.
“I can honestly say I have accomplished the primary goals I set out to achieve. From protecting our neighborhoods and preserving our ‘Old Florida’ character, to modernizing city operations, strengthening resiliency, improving infrastructure and guiding our city through unprecedented hurricanes and recovery efforts, I will leave office deeply proud of what we have accomplished together,” Titsworth wrote.
“At the same time, public service requires passion and energy. After many rewarding years, I recognize that I no longer feel the same excitement for the daily demands of government and that it is time to prioritize my physical well-being, family and personal pursuits. I look forward to embracing new opportunities and experiences beyond public office.
“This decision feels especially meaningful as Holmes Beach just celebrated its 75th anniversary. As a lifelong resident, and granddaughter of founder John E. Holmes Sr., serving this city has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have had the privilege of helping preserve the vision our founders created – a small-town coastal community built on thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship and community pride.
“Holmes Beach today remains one of the most sought-after coastal communities in the world because generations of leaders and residents fought to protect its character and quality of life. As we look toward the future, I hope our city continues to balance tourism, environmental protection and responsible growth while preserving the charm and resilience that make this Island so special.
In closing, Titsworth wrote, “The future of Holmes Beach is bright. I will be leaving office with confidence in our staff, gratitude for our residents and optimism for the next generation of leadership. Serving this community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I will always be thankful for the trust and support this city has shown me.”
DIGGINS’ CANDIDACY
Diggins became a city commissioner in 2022 when he was one of two candidates who sought the two commission seats filled during that election cycle. He was reelected in 2024. He was appointed to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in 2025 and continues to serve in that role as well.
Diggins is a retired FAA aircraft accident investigator.
“I was in charge of the Go Team out of Washington D.C. I had a team of eight investigators and we had to investigate aircraft accidents around the world – and not just accidents in the U.S. If it’s a U.S.-made aircraft, U.S.-made engines or there are U.S.-made avionics in the airplane, the U.S. gets involved in the investigation,” he said.
Diggins said he served as the lead investigator on the Space Shuttle investigation in 2003, and before he retired in 2011, he served as a United States aviation attaché in Afghanistan.
“I advised General (David) Petraeus and the Afghan government on how to conduct commercial aircraft activity in a war zone,” he said.
Diggins and his wife of more than 20 years, Rhonda, began construction of their Holmes Beach home in 2010 and they relocated from Washington D.C. in 2011. They also own a vacation rental home in Holmes Beach.
When discussing his desire to serve as mayor, Diggins said, “Judy is stepping down. In my opinion, she’s done a wonderful job. I want to continue the good work Judy has done and I’ll do that in my own way. I have executive experience at the federal level and experience with the commission here locally. I think I’m well-qualified to be the mayor and keep the city headed in the right direction.
“We have a terrific staff and I want this great staff to continue doing the wonderful work they do for the city and the Island. An organization, any organization, cannot run well without proper executive leadership and the executive leadership has to be supportive of the staff and the goals of the city,” Diggins said.
When discussing the difference between serving as a voting city commissioner and a non-voting mayor who essentially runs the city, Diggins said, “The commission sets policy and votes on the budget, but the day-to-day operations are led by the mayor. The day-to-day activities really affect the residents and I think I’m the right guy for that job.
“I want to be active with the county and the state on initiatives that affect us. I want to be active with things like the water taxi and paid beach parking. The Island is evolving and we need to take care of residents. We need to stop having our residents subsidize tourism,” Diggins said.
“If elected mayor, I’m going to very active inside the community and outside the community. I’m going to hold town hall meetings often. I want to hear what the public has to say. Just because I think something is a good idea, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. It’s always best to have people tell you what you need to know and I want to be very
