Bruce Ehlers, the newly elected Mayor of Encinitas, grew up in a family deeply involved in local politics. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Deerfield, Illinois, his father served on the town council, school board, and planning commission.
After attending Purdue University and working as an engineer in Los Angeles, Ehlers had an epiphany 40 years ago. “I thought, what the hell am I doing in L.A.?” He decided to move to San Diego County, choosing Encinitas as his home. Over the years, Ehlers built a successful career, founding 2GIG, a company later sold to Blackstone Equity. He and his wife, Beth, had a daughter and twins, and the Ehlers became actively involved in the community.
His political journey began in Encinitas when he managed former Councilmember Maggie Houlihan’s campaigns in 2000, 2004 and 2008. He also served as the campaign spokesman for Proposition A, a city growth-management initiative, and led the successful opposition to Measure T, a controversial city-sponsored housing plan.
Additionally, Ehlers served on the Olivenhain Town Council from 1998 to 2003, and was a member of the city’s Planning Commission twice, first from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2017 to 2022.
As mayor, Ehlers is focused on preserving what makes Encinitas special. “People want to maintain the clean, coastal environment that makes this place so unique.” A major issue he faces is state overreach, which he believes threatens local control over zoning. “We need to protect our local land use ordinances and ensure our development aligns with the wishes of the community.”
Ehlers has identified three primary challenges for the city: homelessness, infrastructure and public safety. “We need to reduce homelessness and provide treatment to those who are willing to seek it.”
He also noted the importance of investing in the city’s infrastructure, particularly improving roads, storm drains and addressing flooding in Leucadia, and emphasized the need for improved wildfire readiness and public safety measures.
His perfect day in Encinitas is a late September summer day.
“I’d go to Moonlight Beach to boogie board and then nap under an umbrella on the beach, ending the day with a delicious meal at Trattoria i Trulli. It’s the perfect way to enjoy everything that makes Encinitas so special.”
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce will host the 2025 State of the City address on Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center where you can hear more about Mayor Ehlers’ vision for the city’s future.
