ENCINITAS — Local voters will decide on Nov. 5 who will occupy two City Council seats and the mayor’s office, with candidates offering diverse platforms on key issues that resonate with residents, business owners and public officials.

Incumbent Mayor Tony Kranz and Councilmember Bruce Ehlers are running for the mayor’s office. Deputy Mayor Allison Blackwell and Encinitas native, military veteran and high school coach Luke Shaffer are running for the District 1 seat. Encinitas residents and business owners Jim O’Hara and Destiny Preston are seeking the District 2 council seat.

Encinitas voters will also consider a ballot measure proposing a 1% sales tax hike to “provide locally-controlled funding” for municipal services, like infrastructure and environmental facilities.

Mayor

Tony Kranz

Elected to office in 2022, Kranz said in an interview with The Coast News that he has focused on public safety, affordable housing and improving infrastructure. He has spearheaded projects like the Streetscape initiative, the purchase of Surfer’s Point, stormwater drainage improvements and the new Pacific View Arts Center.

Kranz also said he has tried to prioritize balancing the impacts of major development projects with maintaining local control.

“First of all, you have to do your best to mitigate the impacts of these developments,” Kranz said. “Those impacts are real, and the ability to get the developer to make improvements around the city is really limited.”

Kranz said that ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, including stormwater drainage systems in Leucadia, traffic safety measures and rail crossings, have been central to combating the effects of increasing development.

Kranz also reiterated the importance of complying with state housing laws to avoid costly legal battles, reflecting on past experiences where the city faced expensive litigation for opposing state mandates. Instead, Kranz said he supported the ballot measure proposing a 1% sales tax hike to pay for infrastructure upgrades.

“Forty percent of what we will receive from the new sales tax is likely to be from visitors,” he said. “That gives visitors the opportunity to contribute to the infrastructure that we have to maintain in order to make a visit to our community something they can enjoy.”

Kranz said environmental preservation and social justice are two other critical priorities. These include ensuring that the city’s development aligns with sustainability goals while supporting local businesses and creating public spaces like the new neighborhood park in Leucadia.

Bruce Ehlers

Ehlers, a council member since 2022 and former chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, said that if elected mayor, his key priorities include focusing on basic infrastructure such as pavement maintenance, storm drain rehabilitation and addressing flooding issues in Leucadia. He said the city has neglected these issues, leading to declining infrastructure quality and high maintenance costs.

“Basic infrastructure first, then beautification and vanity projects,” Ehlers said. “We’ve neglected our pavement, storm drain rehabilitation and Leucadia flooding for too long.”

Ehlers, principal author of the voter-backed Proposition A, expressed opposition to what he said is excessive development in Encinitas, emphasizing his long history of challenging developers who, in his view, prioritize profit over the community’s well-being.

Ehlers also criticized the state’s inability to differentiate between good and bad development projects, mentioning the Goodson project as an example of poor planning. According to Ehlers, Prop A, a 2013 ballot initiative providing voters the final say on major zoning and density changes, is crucial for maintaining local control over land use and preventing speculative development that could drive up land prices and alter the community’s character.

“I’m committed to wrestling back control of our land use ordinances from the state and defending Proposition A,” he said. “It’s essential to preserving the character of our community.”

During a public forum on Aug. 13, Ehlers said he opposed the 1% sales tax hike, saying the tax would significantly burden residents.

“At a time when we’ve had double-digit increases in our sewer and water rates, we’ve got almost double-digit inflation. The bottom line is we shouldn’t be doing it now,” said Ehlers regarding the tax hike. “We should look and wait and see where the economy goes and not have fixed-income people and lower-income people pay more.”

District 1

Allison Blackwell

Appointed to the District 1 seat in Jan. 2023 after Kranz was elected mayor, Blackwell said in an interview that during her tenure and campaign, she has focused on tackling key issues like aging infrastructure, affordable housing and homelessness.

“Infrastructure is a big deal in Encinitas,” Blackwell said. “We’ve got things from drainage, which we’re making some headway on, but it’s very expensive overall.”

She said there is a critical need to address both aging infrastructure inherited from the county and the gaps caused by new housing developments. Blackwell highlighted mobility improvements, road paving and safe rail crossings, especially in areas north of Leucadia Boulevard.

Blackwell said the city needs practical housing solutions to maintain its diverse economic base while addressing the challenges posed by state housing mandates.

“Affordable housing is about more than just compliance with state mandates,” Blackwell said. “It’s about ensuring we have a diverse economic base, where people from all walks of life can live and enjoy the community.”

As part of her tenure, she said she worked to create the Affordable Housing Task Force to explore new opportunities and innovative solutions to address housing concerns. On the other hand, she said homelessness is a humanitarian crisis and believes in addressing the root causes rather than merely enforcing against encampments.

Blackwell said the city’s approach, particularly the partnership with Vista on the navigation center, provides shelter and essential services to help stabilize individuals.

“I really love serving Encinitas,” Blackwell said. “It’s not an easy job, but I truly feel passionate about being part of shaping the change in our community.”

Luke Shaffer

Encinitas native and former U.S. Marine Corps F-18 pilot Luke Shaffer told The Coast News he advocates for a comprehensive approach to city planning that prioritizes transparency, fiscal responsibility and community-driven development.

Shaffer, a La Costa Canyon High School coach, emphasized the need for a long-term vision for Encinitas, including a “2050 plan” to guide sustainable growth and infrastructure improvements. As the city faces increasing pressure from state mandates and high-density developments, Shaffer said there’s a need for a careful balance between progress and preserving the community’s character.

“This is a community that could lead by example for the globe, not just the state, not just the nation,” Shaffer said. “We can do it right and show people we have a way to fight against these big bureaucratic requirements.”

Among issues like addressing infrastructure needs and public safety concerns, Shaffer stressed the need for greater transparency in government decisions — particularly in planning and development. Shaffer said he supports the idea of a more interactive and informative city app that keeps residents updated and involved in local issues, allowing them to provide feedback and make informed decisions.

“We need a basic, comprehensive, forward-looking plan that is public knowledge and guides decision-making from here on,” he said. “It’s about transparency and ensuring the people have the real information, not just what we want them to hear.”

On his website, Shaffer said he opposes the 1% tax hike. However, in an interview with the Coast News, he said he is “skeptical” about the tax, questioning the current administration’s spending habits. While he’s not opposed to the tax itself, he wants clear accountability and a specified plan for how the funds would be used.

“I was born here, I was raised here, I left, and now I’m raising my family here. I’m more than likely going to die here,” Shaffer said. “I’m not just running for a seat; I’m standing up for the place that has shaped me.”

District 2

Jim O’Hara

With a platform focused on public safety, infrastructure and fiscal responsibility, O’Hara told the Coast News that transparent decision-making that prioritizes the community’s interests over large development and vanity projects is needed.

“My platform isn’t very sexy, but it’s about what basic government is supposed to do, focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility,” O’Hara said. “City Council is not meant to be a career politician’s position; it’s meant to be local representation, and I think it’s time we bring that back.”

O’Hara, who owns and operates Race San Diego LLC, an event management company that handles The Kook Run, said his platform centers on enhancing public safety, improving local infrastructure and ensuring fiscal responsibility. He said he advocates prioritizing essential services like road repairs and law enforcement over projects catering to external interests.

“We need to prioritize the needs of the community, like road repairs and drainage, over trophy projects that don’t serve Encinitas residents,” he said. “Public safety is a priority, and that means giving our Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department the tools and support they need, as well as addressing homelessness with compassion and accountability.”

O’Hara said he is committed to transparent governance that reflects the needs and values of Encinitas residents. He emphasized his long-standing involvement in the community through business management, event organization and participation on local boards, stating that his candidacy is not a stepping stone but a commitment to ensuring the future of Encinitas is guided by someone deeply invested in its well-being.

“This is not a stepping stone for me. Our future is too important to be someone’s stepping stone,” O’Hara said. “We need someone who shows up, cares and isn’t going to be beholden to Sacramento but to the residents of Encinitas.”

Destiny Preston

Preston, a small-business owner, has worked with the California Coastal Commission and Caltrans and is focusing her campaign on climate resilience, infrastructure safety and responsible development.

“My life has really been shaped by a passion for public service and the environment,” Preston told The Coast News. “I studied environmental policy during my undergrad years … and since then, I’ve been focused on working in local government and on various boards. I believe this experience uniquely positions me to deliver on day one as a council member.”

With a background in environmental policy and city planning, Preston said her experience in coastal and transportation planning is a crucial qualification for the role. She has pledged to seek funding to improve safety measures for all road users, highlighting the importance of wildfire resilience and sustainable development.

“I support context-specific development, and it’s vital that no particular areas of the city are overdeveloped and that we have the infrastructure to support new growth,” she said.

Despite a stated record of public service, questions have been raised about Preston’s record of residency in Encinitas. She said she has been a full-time resident since 2022, moving to the city after growing up in Los Angeles and spending time in the Bay Area.

“I’ve had immediate family in the Encinitas area since 1994, so that was the first time I came here, about 30 years ago as a four-year-old,” Preston said. “I’ve been connected to this area for some time now, and like I said, grew up splitting my time between LA and North County.”

Preston is endorsed by prominent Democratic figures, including Congressman Mike Levin and State Senator Catherine Blakespear. She said her endorsements from high-profile Democrats underscore her alignment with the party’s broader values, although some voters have raised concerns about outside influence in local politics.

“I don’t believe that the number of years lived here should be a prerequisite for serving,” Preston said. “What’s most important is who’s qualified to govern and who has the experience to deliver on public policy issues.”

Ballot Measure: 1% Sales Tax Increase

Encinitas voters will also consider a proposed one-cent sales tax increase in November. The measure, which could generate $15 million annually, aims to fund infrastructure projects like storm drain repairs and pollution reduction.

While a city survey showed around 60% support, some residents oppose the increase, citing concerns about tax burdens and accountability.