Encinitas uses a council–manager system. The City Council has five members: a mayor elected citywide to a two-year term and four council members elected by district to staggered four-year terms. The council chooses a deputy mayor from among its members.[1] The council sets policy and the budget, and a city manager it appoints runs day-to-day operations.
Current officials
| Seat | Member | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor (at large) | Bruce Ehlers | Elected 2024; running for re-election in 2026 |
| District 1 | Luke Shaffer | |
| District 2 | Jim O'Hara | Deputy mayor |
| District 3 | Joy Lyndes | Not seeking re-election in 2026 |
| District 4 | Marco San Antonio | Appointed; ran in 2026 |
The city lists its officials and meeting schedule on its elected-officials page.[2] Regular council meetings are held on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 505 South Vulcan Avenue. They can also be watched online.
2026 election
The general municipal election on November 3, 2026 filled the mayor's seat and the District 3 and District 4 council seats.[3] The races are officially nonpartisan.[4]
| Race | Leading | Trailing |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Rimga Viskanta, 13,173 (50.1%) | Bruce Ehlers (incumbent), 13,116 (49.9%) |
| District 3 | Arielle Golden | Ed Sprague |
| District 4 | Brad Lefkowits | Marco San Antonio (incumbent) |
The mayor's race has been the closest mayoral contest in the county. Ehlers led by 27 votes after election night, Viskanta moved ahead by 73 votes on November 5, and the gap stood at 57 votes after the November 9 update.[5][6] Viskanta is a San Dieguito Union High School District trustee.[7] The county has until December 3 to certify results, so this table will be updated when the count is final.[4]
In 2024 Ehlers, a Republican-turned-independent, ended eight years of mayoral leadership by Catherine Blakespear and Tony Kranz.[4]
How the system developed
From incorporation in 1986 until 2014, the council chose the mayor from among its members for a one-year term. In November 2012 voters approved a directly elected mayor with a two-year term, and the first direct mayoral election was held in 2014.[1] Council members are now elected by district rather than at large. The mayor remains the only citywide seat. Housing law has been a recurring source of conflict: the city has been sued several times over policies challengers say undermine state affordable-housing requirements.[1]
State and federal representation
In the California State Legislature, Encinitas is in the 38th Senate district, represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear, a former Encinitas mayor, and the 77th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Tasha Boerner. In the U.S. House of Representatives it is in California's 49th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Levin.[1] At county level, Encinitas falls within the San Diego County Board of Supervisors' coastal North County district.
Public services
Encinitas runs its own fire department and lifeguard service for city beaches. Swami's beach and its cliff-top park, for example, are maintained by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, with lifeguard towers staffed from late June to Labor Day.[8] Law enforcement is provided under contract by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Several state beaches within city limits are run by California State Parks, or by the city under agreement: Leucadia State Beach (Beacon's) is operated by the city under a 20-year agreement with the state.[9] Public schools are run by three independent school districts, not the city; see schools.
Common questions
- Who is the mayor of Encinitas?
- Bruce Ehlers, elected in 2024. In the November 3, 2026 election, challenger Rimga Viskanta held a 57-vote lead in unofficial returns as of November 9; results must be certified by December 3, 2026.
- When does the Encinitas City Council meet?
- Regular meetings are on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 6 p.m.
- How long is the Encinitas mayor's term?
- Two years. Voters approved a directly elected mayor in 2012, and the first election was in 2014.
See also
Notes and sources
- Encinitas, California. Wikipedia.
- Elected Officials. City of Encinitas.
- Municipal Elections. City of Encinitas.
- Encinitas election results: Who's ahead for mayor, City Council. inewsource.
- Election 2026: Viskanta overtakes Ehlers as tight North County races shift. The Coast News Group.
- City of Encinitas Mayor (Short Term), November 2026 results. The Ballot.
- New Encinitas election results for mayor, City Council races. inewsource.
- Swami's. Wikipedia.
- Leucadia State Beach. Wikipedia.