Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers and challenger Rimga Viskanta meet Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the first forum dedicated solely to the mayor's race before the Nov. 3 election.

The Cardiff 101 Main Street forum runs from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Ada W. Harris Elementary School auditorium, 1508 Windsor Rd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Coast News reporter Cameron Adams will moderate.

The format relies on questions residents submitted in advance. The deadline passed Sept. 20. No questions will be accepted the night of the event.

Organizers chose the pre-submitted format to keep the discussion focused on local Cardiff and Encinitas issues rather than regional or national topics, according to the Cardiff 101 event page.

What's at stake

The winner will serve a two-year mayoral term ending in November 2028, according to the North Coast Current. The Nov. 3 ballot also includes races for City Council Districts 3 and 4.

Ehlers, an Olivenhain resident, has twice served on the city's Planning Commission and is a former council member. When Viskanta entered the race in February, Ehlers told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "I will be running, there's no doubt in my mind. I have more work to do."

Viskanta, a 20-year Encinitas resident who lives in Old Encinitas, serves on the San Dieguito Union High School District board and previously sat on the Encinitas Union School District board. She holds a master's degree in public administration and previously worked as a senior management analyst for the City of Solana Beach.

Candidates split on ICE, Flock cameras at LWV forum

The two candidates took opposing positions at a League of Women Voters North County forum Sept. 17 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, where about 150 people filled the room. That event featured all six candidates across the three Encinitas races, as the Union-Tribune reported.

ICE enforcement and Flock surveillance cameras emerged as dividing lines. Ehlers said the city has created a webpage tracking ICE activity within city limits but that the federal government's response to information requests has not been strong. Viskanta said she believes some immigrants' rights are being violated and that the city needs to do more to support affected families.

On Flock cameras, Ehlers said he supports the system. Viskanta said government policies need to keep up with the technology and that law enforcement should have limited access to the images.

Forum history

The Cardiff-by-the-Sea Town Council, now a committee of Cardiff 101 Main Street, has hosted election forums since Encinitas incorporated in 1986. Tuesday's event follows the District 3 council forum held Sept. 15 at the same venue.

The forum is free and open to the public at the Ada W. Harris auditorium, 1508 Windsor Rd.