Tony Kranz conceded the Encinitas mayor’s race to Bruce Ehlers on Friday, Nov. 8, as election results continued to show a lead for Ehlers after Tuesday’s election.

Ehlers’ lead continued as of Friday, 52.22% to Kranz’s 47.78%, or 14,921 votes to 13.652 votes.

“It’s time to express my congratulations to (Ehlers) for becoming the Mayor-Elect of the City of Encinitas, and I wish him well in guiding the future of the city we all love,” Kranz wrote to supporters in a statement on Friday. “Unlike many current contests, it was a civil campaign and I’m proud of that. Losing an election is never fun. But the process of campaigning is a wonderful way of getting to know the beautiful people who make up our community, all of whom have been key to providing the true and special character of Encinitas.”

Ehlers thanked Kranz for his years service to the community.

“The Mayor graciously conceded and wished me well,” Ehlers wrote in a social media statement on Friday. “I thanked him for his 12 years of service to the community. I am excited to start the weekend sharing this news. A huge Thank You to all my supporters. It was your contributions that made this victory possible. Together we will move forward for Encinitas.”

In other Encinitas City Council races, incumbent District 1 Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Allison Blackwell conceded Friday to competitor Luke Shaffer. Updated election results showed that Shaffer was ahead 56.44%, or 4,353 votes, compared with Blackwell’s 43.56%, or 3,359 votes.

“Thank you to all supporters who stood by my side and gave their time and energy to my campaign for Encinitas City Council. I am eternally grateful,” Blackwell wrote in a social media statement Friday. “While we did not achieve the desired result, I am proud of the work we did in this campaign. I congratulate Luke Shaffer on the win, and I wish him well as he works to represent District 1 on the City Council.”

In a social media message on Friday, Shaffer thanked Blackwell in return.

“Thank you to Allison Blackwell for her concession and dedication to our community,” he said. “A huge thank you to my family, volunteers, and all the supporters who helped make this win possible.”

In District 2, Jim O’Hara continued his lead over Destiny Preston 55.13% to 44.87%, or 3,218 votes to 2,619 votes. There had been no public statements from Preston regarding a concession as of the publication of this report, nor was there one from O’Hara in anticipation of a victory.

State-mandated housing requirements have been among the major issues this election cycle, with residents voicing increasing frustration at high-density apartment and condominium projects being forced through by Sacramento, including such a development in Olivenhain.

Money measures

An Encinitas sales tax measure still appeared headed for defeat as a school district bond proposal exceeded its 55% threshold for success, according to updated results.

Measure K, approved for the ballot by the City Council in May, calls for a 1 cent-per-dollar general sales tax to go toward city services and maintenance. As of Friday, “no” notes were exceeding approval 52.21% to 47.79%, or 15,466 votes to 14,158 votes. The measure required a simple majority to pass.

The Encinitas Union School District’s Measure Z, which seeks $158.3 million for campus renovations and modernization, shot past its 55% required approval threshold as of Friday. “Yes” votes reached 56.19%, or 19,540, while “no” votes reached 43.81%, or 15,235.

Tallies will continue to be updated in the coming days, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.