Husband duo declines mayoral run

ENCINITAS — “The Real Husbands of Encinitas” won’t become a reality this fall, as two of the three husbands of former and current city elected officials decided not to run for mayor.

Steve Bartram, who is married to Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer, and Don Barth, husband of former Councilwoman Teresa Barth, each had obtained nomination papers within days of learning that Paul Gaspar, husband of current Mayor Kristin Gaspar, would be running for his wife’s position.

Kristin Gaspar is not seeking re-election as she squares off against Dave Roberts in the Dist. 3 Supervisor runoff Nov. 8.

Both Bartram and Barth decided against a mayoral run by not resubmitting their nomination paperwork before the Aug. 17 deadline. Instead, they issued a joint statement throwing their support behind Catherine Blakespear, who aside from Gaspar is the only candidate to qualify for the ballot.

“After careful consideration, including many discussions with many residents, we have both decided not to run for mayor, and to throw our support behind Catherine Blakespear for mayor in the upcoming election” Don Barth said in a news release.

Many residents suspected that Bartram and Barth’s flirtation with a mayoral run was a not-so subtle jab at Paul Gaspar, who they believe is unqualified for the office.

In their statement, they reiterated their concerns about a Paul Gaspar mayoral bid.

“The idea of Paul Gaspar, a Republican partisan and a novice in public service, becoming mayor after not spending a day on the City Council, or even as a volunteer on a public commission, is frightening,” Bartram said.

In addition to they mayoral race, five candidates successfully qualified for the Nov. 8 ballot for the three-seat City Council race: Incumbents Tony Kranz and Mark Muir, planning commissioners Tasha Boerner Horvath and Anthony Brandenburg and former Assembly candidate Phil Graham.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer declined to file for re-election, reaffirming her pledge to serve one term.

Encinitas residents will also vote on the housing element, At Home in Encinitas. The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the 300-word statement in support of the ballot measure, crafted by Shaffer and Blakespear. Opponents will have an opportunity to submit a statement in opposition and both sides will have a 250-word rebuttal, which will all appear in the sample ballot mailed to voters.