Encinitas mayor running for supervisor

Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar on Monday became the second North County Republican mayor to announce an election challenge to Democratic county Supervisor Dave Roberts in 2016.

Gaspar, 36, has served on the Encinitas City Council since November 2010 and will face Escondido Mayor Sam Abed along with Roberts, and perhaps others, in the June election.

In making her announcement, Gaspar referred to Roberts in her news release as “embattled” and said she would “restore trust to the office” — references the controversy around Roberts, who was accused of misconduct by several staff members in the spring.

But otherwise, Gaspar focused on her record and county issues, such as the drought, roads, infrastructure and what she called core services.

“There’s just so many issues the county faces at this time, I won’t be spending my time and energy talking about the issues that Dave Roberts may be facing,” she said in a phone interview.

Roberts has denied all the accusations, and none of the ex-staffers has filed a lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Roberts’ campaign manager, Gary Gartner, criticized Gaspar for seeking another office after just 10 months after becoming Encinitas’ first elected mayor.

“This kind of political opportunism from yet another career politician is just what voters are tired of,” he said.

Gaspar is chief financial officer of Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy, which she co-owns with her husband, Paul. She was elected to the Encinitas City Council in November 2010, was appointed deputy mayor in December 2011 and appointed mayor in 2014. She became the first elected mayor of the city last November following a change in how the position is filled.

Gaspar has been described as part of a conservative, pro-business minority on the council, which in recent years has faced a more liberal majority focused on environmental protection.

She and her husband have three young children in Encinitas schools. Gaspar has served as president of the Encinitas Rotary, chair of the Encina Wastewater Authority Board and was founder and board member of the North County Leadership Council.

She also is a third-grade grade civics instructor at Mission Estancia Elementary and a Pop Warner coach at La Costa Canyon High School.

Gaspar is seen as more politically moderate than Abed, who is viewed as conservative and something of a firebrand.

Abed, 63, called Gaspar “a fine council member and mayor,” but said there has been disharmony on that council in recent years.

“I think Encinitas right now is a dysfunctional city because of the infighting on the City Council,” Abed said. “This is very unfortunate. I have built a council majority in Escondido and gotten things done. You have to show leadership in your own city.”

Gaspar countered by saying Encinitas is well-run.

“We have a double A-plus bond rating,” she said. “We have a balanced budget. We have streets that are free of pothole, and top-notch public safety. Encinitas has an incredible reputation throughout the entire country, and I’m proud to play a role in that.”

Gartner, the spokesman for Roberts’ campaign, likewise pointed to the incumbent’s record in office when speaking about his re-election bid.

“Supervisor Roberts has a record working collaboratively and with innovation to create new jobs, enhance and protect our environment, and improve public safety,” he said. “Roberts has increased funding for vital health and human services, broadened our tax base with support for the arts and tourism, and made sure our local government is fiscally responsible and responsive to our communities’ needs.”

Three women in Roberts’ office who resigned in April have filed claims that allege the supervisor used public resources in his re-election bid, showed inordinate favoritism to a subordinate and offered an employee a raise and promotion in exchange for misleading a county human resources inquiry into his office. Roberts has repeatedly denied the accusations.

Gaspar has hired political strategists Revolvis Consulting, which has worked on the campaigns of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, former San Diego City Council member Carl DeMaio and many others.

She also has hired Golden State Consulting for fundraising, and Competitive Edge Research & Communications for polling.