The two mayoral candidates in Encinitas, incumbent Tony Kranz and City Councilmember Bruce Ehlers, will participate in a candidate forum Saturday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
The event will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of North County, which announced that both candidates have agreed to take part. A video of the forum will also be available online within the following two days.
With an Aug. 9 deadline, Kranz and Ehlers are the only two candidates to file to run for Encinitas mayor so far.
The event will include opening and closing statements by the candidates, as well as questions from audience members.
In Encinitas, the mayor is a separately elected position with two-year terms. The mayor also serves as one of five members of the City Council. Each council member is elected to a four-year term to represent one of four districts in the city.
Kranz won his first term as Encinitas mayor in 2022, following about 10 years as a council member. He replaced Catherine Blakespear, who was elected state senator.
Ehlers won his first term on the council in the same election, following a stint on the city’s Planning Commission. He has been serving District 4, which includes Olivenhain and parts of New Encinitas.
Pending any more entries into the race, Encinitas voters in District 1, which includes the northern portion of the city, will decide whether to reelect Allison Blackwell or elect Luke Shaffer.
In District 2, Destiny Preston and Jim O’Hara are running to replace Kellie Hinzie, who announced she is not seeking reelection.
St. Andrew’s is located at 890 Balour Drive in Encinitas. For more information, visit the League of Women Voters of North County website.
Originally Published: