ENCINITAS — As the mayoral race in Encinitas heats up, recent fundraising and spending reports reveal starkly different strategies between Councilmember Bruce Ehlers and incumbent Mayor Tony Kranz, underscoring their contrasting approaches to campaign outreach and citywide support.
Both candidates recently filed Form 460, a key campaign finance document required of all candidates, political committees, and ballot measure committees to disclose their financial activities. This form, which itemizes all expenditures and contributions over $100, aims to maintain transparency and accountability in the electoral process, giving voters a clear view of who is funding the campaigns and how that money is being utilized.
The filing deadlines for these forms are aligned with the election calendar, requiring semi-annual submissions to keep the electorate informed about campaign finances throughout the election cycle.
For this report, The Coast News reviewed the available Form 460s for the period from January 1 to June 30, focusing on contributions over $100 while acknowledging that smaller donations, though not itemized, are included in the total figures. The Coast News previously published an analysis of District 1 and District 2 candidates’ campaign finances available here.
Campaign Contributions for Encinitas Candidates
Total Dollar Amount Campaign Contributions for Encinitas Candidates
Campaign Finance
According to the reports, Ehlers has raised $25,009 from 112 donors, with approximately 94% of these contributions coming from Encinitas residents. Kranz, by comparison, has raised $7,425 from 32 donors, with 71% of his contributors hailing from Encinitas. While Ehlers enjoys a robust local donor base with 106 donations from within the city, Kranz has received 23 local contributions. Both have also attracted a handful of smaller donations from outside Encinitas, with Ehlers receiving six and Kranz nine.
The unitemized contributions, which are not detailed on the forms but contribute to the total amounts, show Ehlers receiving $1,209 in smaller donations, roughly double the $700 collected by Kranz.
Ehlers credits his fundraising success to the efforts of local volunteers and minimal paid staff.
“My only paid person is my treasurer, I don’t have a campaign manager or a fundraiser,” Ehlers said. He emphasized the effectiveness of his volunteer team, which has been canvassing the city door-to-door with a goal of reaching 8,000 homes by October 7. “We’re walking the city, door to door,” he added. “When someone is walking for you, that’s better advertising than any glossy mailer.”
Kranz, meanwhile, acknowledged his slower start in fundraising but emphasized his steady approach, focusing on direct outreach through meet-and-greets, emails, and campaign events. Like Ehlers, Kranz has not hired a campaign manager or fundraisers, as indicated in his Form 460 filing.
“I’m a notoriously crummy fundraiser,” Kranz admitted. “I hate asking people to contribute, but I know it’s the foundation of politics, and it’s part of the process.”
As the campaign progresses, Kranz expressed confidence in gaining momentum.
“We’re in that time of year, post-Labor Day, when people start dialing in,” Kranz said. “There’s been a lot of energy lately, and we’re going to be out knocking on doors, organizing events, and talking to people about what we’ve accomplished and what we still have to do.”
Kranz believes his incumbency provides a unique advantage, allowing him to focus more on his achievements and contributions to the city rather than on fundraising alone.
“I’m not too worried about the optics,” he said, referring to his smaller number of contributions. “I think people know me, and I believe most voters recognize the progress we’ve made, that we’ve dealt with plenty of challenges, and I think that gives me a built-in advantage.”
Despite their different approaches, both candidates agree on the importance of directly engaging voters. Ehlers sees his early fundraising success as indicative of a growing demand for change in Encinitas.
“There is an appetite for change, and people are seeking me out,” Ehlers said. “The early money in a campaign is very valuable, and I’m on track to run a full, robust campaign.”
Kranz, on the other hand, plans to use his limited funds strategically, investing in signage and saving for direct mail pieces as the election draws nearer.
“Most of my funds are going toward signage and saving for direct mail pieces at the appropriate time,” Kranz said.
As the November election approaches, both candidates are intensifying their efforts to win voter support. Ehlers plans to continue leveraging his strong financial base and local network, while Kranz remains focused on direct outreach and highlighting his established record in office.
