Encinitas-related battles for office are leading to incumbent victories for City Council and the ouster of a county Board of Supervisors member after a contentious election that came to a close Nov. 3.
Encinitas voters appear to be going against a generally fidgety City Council when it comes to allowing cannabis businesses in the city, according to returns from the Nov. 3 election.
Carlsbad will see City Council incumbent Keith Blackburn return to the dais in the first election for new District 2, and Teresa Acosta is on a path to victory for new District 4, according to preliminary results from the Nov. 3 election.
In a local election season generally marked by contentious arguments and some close votes, Solana Beach saw resounding victories for City Council candidates in races without competition Nov. 3, including the city’s first elected mayor.
Candidates for Carlsbad City Council largely have different takes on the central issues currently facing the city, from public health to traffic to public safety.
When Catherine Blakespear was elected to the city council in 2014, and as mayor in 2016 and 2018, she provided leadership that allowed for diverse opinions, public input, inclusiveness and transparency. That’s why all of the current Encinitas elected City Council members — and numerous other local leaders — are supporting her reelection.
All three City Council candidates in Solana Beach are running unopposed this election season, leading to a less contentious race, but also a slight decrease in community engagement, candidates said.
As national political debate becomes plagued with toxicity and disinformation, Encinitas residents have noticed the same behavior trickle into local elections, such as the city’s mayoral race.
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce offers a virtual candidates forum today, Oct. 8, for three seats on the ballot as mail-in voting gets underway during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce hosts an online City Council candidate forum Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. via the Zoom virtual meeting platform.
The League of Women Voters’ North County chapter has partnered with two Encinitas town councils to host City Council candidate forums in September and October.
Encinitas-based officeholders and candidates made headway or held onto their seats based on preliminary results from March 3’s Super Tuesday elections.
