Tampa Bay 28 invited more than 200 candidates running in the August 18, 2026, primary election across our five-county area to submit the following: a candidate photo, a 100-word biography, and responses to three questions:
- Why are you running for office?
- In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
- Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
The following candidates responded to our questionnaire.
John Azzata
Background(provided by candidate):
I was born in Brooklyn, New York. Along with my wife, Karen, we raised our family on Long Island, New York. Long before retiring from a 34-year career in Law Enforcement, we decided to make Anna Maria Island, specifically Holmes Beach, Florida, our home. My education includes graduating from W.C. Mepham High School in Bellmore, New York, St. John's University in Jamaica, New York, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. During my 34-year career, I held many diverse positions.
Why are you running for office?
The obvious answer to this question would be, I believe that I can help the community. Specifically, my professional career and my volunteer activities have been dedicated to public service. Bringing individuals or agencies together to attain a goal is evidenced in both my professional career and volunteer activities.
In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
In my professional career, not only did I advance by studying and rising through the ranks of the police department, I volunteered for many tasks, such as Hostage Negotiator and Peer Support. My activities at work ultimately led me to be recognized as Law Enforcement Person of the Year. The same can be said for my volunteer activities, which resulted in being honored with Person of the Year.
Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
The most important issue facing the community is the infrastructure (stormwater mitigation). This issue has consequences in many areas. Without a properly constructed and maintained infrastructure, the local economy is affected, along with the lives of all the people living and working in the community. Local, State and Federal Government must come together to decide on best practices moving forward to preserve the community we enjoy.
Steven Mark Hebden
Background(provided by candidate):
I grew up in the Philadelphia area, and after graduating from University of Virginia, I returned to marry Carol and begin my first job in architecture. We raised three daughters, and many dogs, across the river in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We vacationed on Anna Maria Island for 5 years and, like our neighbors, we fell in love with the hometown, low density, low rise, Old Florida character. We designed a house in Holmes Beach, making this our primary residence in retirement in 2020. We enjoy bringing our families of grandchildren to enjoy our unique island community by the beach.
Why are you running for office?
I am a candidate for commissioner because I want to invest my experience in protecting, preserving and sustaining the unique qualities and value of our island community. I believe my prior professional experience will prove to be a valuable resource to the citizens and city staff in understanding and addressing the most pressing issues for the city.
In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
My 40 years of experience as an architect gives me a depth of understanding of development, planning, construction and code issues will bring value to evaluating potential future development in Holmes Beach. My service as president of a large national design firm allows me to bring a business management perspective and insight into setting and implementing vision and goals for our city.
Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
Listening to the citizens of Holmes Beach, the most important issues facing our community are related to maintaining the balance between the quality of life for residents and tourism. I will work proactively with city leaders and staff to identify goals and implement decisions which encourages an increase in fulltime residents.
Increasing traffic due to tourism is negatively impacting the quality of life in local neighborhoods throughout the city, indicating the need for an updated city-wide traffic management plan. The city’s 50-year-old storm water infrastructure needs proactive management of a multi-year upgrade plan, along with a funding plan supplemented by the county, which recognizes the added stress on city services generated by tourism, and to prevent tourism decline due to flooding. My experience with the planning, development and management will be an asset to engaging with city staff and contractors to update and implement traffic and stormwater solutions.
Carol Whitmore
Why are you running for office?
I am running for re-election because I have the experience and knowledge to help my small beach community deal with growth in tourism and at the same time maintain our small-town community.
In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
Previous HB city commissioner and mayor from 1991-2026. As Manatee County Commissioner representing the entire county, including my city, I have the relationships to work for my community.
Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
A. Most important issue is maintaining our city's character with skyrocketing growth in tourism.
B. Our city administration has had communication issues with the citizens and the city commission. This came to light after the 2024 hurricanes. With a new Mayor coming into office, it is imperative to improve this.
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