Following today’s Pinellas County Commission meeting, after the presentations full of budgetary facts and figures were checked and accounted for by the board, Commissioner Dave Eggers added, “Just one more thing,” and slid his hands across his face.
“More on a personal level, if you’ll indulge me.”
“I have to read it because I don’t think I’ll get through this otherwise,” he said. “I’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.”
Eggers said he’s been undergoing treatment since July at Moffitt Cancer Center after being diagnosed in August. He added that he’s been feeling great and “that’s the irony of it all.”
Eggers’ tremulous announcement belied the professional conduct he carried through the entirety of the commission meeting, which has been a testament to his more than two decades in local government.
Eggers was first elected to the Dunedin City Commission in 2003 and won reelection in 2006. Voters elected him mayor in 2009 and again in 2012. His tenure included establishing youth, social services and public safety committees and helping Dunedin earn its Purple Heart City designation.
He moved to county government in 2014, when voters elected him to represent District 4 on the Pinellas County Commission. Eggers has since focused on infrastructure, economic development and environmental issues while also taking on regional leadership roles with Tampa Bay Water and Forward Pinellas.
His fellow commissioners unanimously selected him to chair the board for 2026.
Eggers secured another four years in office just over two weeks before revealing his diagnosis. He won nearly 79% of the vote against Republican challenger Anthony Ringelspaugh in the Aug. 18 primary. With no opponent in the general election, the victory secured another term representing northern Pinellas.
“I have a deep belief that God has plans for me,” Eggers said. “I don’t want this disease defining my life or who I am.”
Despite his diagnosis and ongoing treatment, Eggers plans to continue his public service.
Eggers credited his life partner, Anna Hamilton, as his strongest supporter and advocate throughout his diagnosis and treatment.