Catherine Blakespear
- Senate: 2022-present
Bio
Catherine Blakespear, 50, is a former estate planning attorney who was mayor of Encinitas and a member of its city council before she was elected to the Senate in 2022. She’s a former journalist for The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times. She has a bachelor’s and master’s from Northwestern University and went to law school at the University of Utah. Blakespear in 2023 was the only legislator with a legal defense fund, which she used to help cover the expenses associated with a lawsuit dating to her time as mayor. The fund was closed in 2024. She’s married with two children.
Ideology
Bill Activity
For this session year, this legislator initiated 38 bills: 22 passed, 6 failed, and 10 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
No Results
Digital Democracy contains no financial data in relation to this organization. Digital Democracy contains no contribution data in relation to this organization.
Influence
There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians | $320 | Aug 12, 2022 | Hell's Kitchen Opening |
| Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians | $276 | Jul 9, 2022 | padres game |
| Vista City Council member Joe Green | $121 | Aug 26, 2022 | Moonlight Theatre Performance |
| Encinitas Chamber of Commerce | $60 | Sep 1, 2022 | State of the City ticket |
| Naval Air Forces | $43.58 | Nov 11, 2022 | Armed Forces Reception |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 74th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| UC San Diego | $408 | Aug 6, 2023 | 2 Padre Game Tickets & Parking |
| Moonlight Cultural Foundation | $348 | Aug 5, 2023 | Musical Theatre Tickets |
| Equality California | $336 | Jul 25, 2023 | 2 Tickets |
| Theatre &Arts Foundation of San Diego County DBA La Jolla Playhouse | $276 | Jun 24, 2023 | "Love All" tickets |
| Resources Legacy Fund | $258.74 | Feb 1, 2023 | Food &Beverage |
| Women in California Leadership | $182.33 | Feb 16, 2023 | Food &Beverage |
| UC San Diego | $181.86 | Aug 16, 2023 | Food and Beverage |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation | $150.44 | Apr 11, 2023 | Food &Beverage |
| Steve Glazer for Lieutenant Governor 2026 | $150 | Aug 16, 2023 | Food and Beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $101.42 | Feb 7, 2023 | Senate Caucus Policy Retreat |
| Pacific Beach Town Council | $100 | Jan 23, 2023 | Food & Beverage |
| San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce | $88 | Aug 15, 2023 | Food and Beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $82.72 | Jan 24, 2023 | Senate Budget Retreat |
| Personal Insurance Federation of California | $56.45 | Feb 21, 2023 | Food and Beverage |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $48.95 | Mar 21, 2023 | Food &Beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $48.74 | Feb 7, 2023 | Senate Caucus Policy Retreat |
| Disney | $37.68 | May 10, 2023 | Hat |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $28.71 | Jan 31, 2023 | Food &Beverage |
| Disney | $23 | May 9, 2023 | Movie ticket |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $4.09 | Mar 20, 2023 | Candy |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 46th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Environmental Voters | $358.12 | May 9, 2024 | Transportation, lunch $\nbeverages for 2 |
| California Chamber of Commerce | $350.36 | Mar 7, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| MN8 Energy | $328.8 | Sep 25, 2024 | Food, Beverage &\nEntertainment |
| California Democratic Party | $180.93 | Aug 7, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| Bill Dodd for Lieutenant Governor | $168.05 | Dec 1, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $139.52 | Feb 27, 2024 | Food, Beverage &\nEntertainment |
| Josh Newman for Senate 2024 | $131 | Apr 15, 2024 | Dinner |
| Disney | $128 | Feb 21, 2024 | Food, Beverage & Plush |
| Antinori Napa Valley | $125 | Aug 6, 2024 | Beverage & appetizers |
| San Diego County & Communities of Interest Legislative Caucus | $117.27 | May 16, 2024 | Dinner |
| The Baughman Co in CC DBA Baughman Merill | $116.95 | Dec 27, 2024 | Dinner |
| University of California | $116.79 | Jan 31, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| Visit Napa Valley | $110.51 | Aug 6, 2024 | Transportation |
| Port of Long Beach | $103.22 | Sep 23, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| Wine Institute of California | $103 | Aug 6, 2024 | Dinner & Entertainment |
| Hall Wines | $75 | Aug 6, 2024 | Wine Reception |
| University of California, San Diego | $60 | Mar 22, 2024 | Ticket |
| Mike McGuire for State Senate 2022 | $58 | Feb 28, 2024 | Engraved Stanley Tumber |
| University of California, San Diego | $56.49 | Dec 9, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| University of California | $49.13 | Jan 29, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| University of California, San Diego | $39 | Mar 22, 2024 | UCSD Branded Pennant & UCSD\nBranded Chocolate Gift Bag |
| California Democratic Party | $38.4 | Feb 28, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| California Environmental Voters | $30.36 | Aug 21, 2024 | Food and Beverage |
| University of California, San Diego | $29.68 | Jun 15, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $25.66 | Apr 9, 2024 | Food & Beverage |
| California Environmental Voters | $17.25 | Jan 17, 2024 | Food and Beverage |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 27th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Council of State Governments West | $3,365.99 | Dec 12, 2023 | Attended Western Academy Training |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to California. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 31st highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy | $766.84 | Jun 20, 2024 | Berkeley - Lodging, dinner and breakfast.: |
| California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy | $740.74 | Dec 12, 2024 | Palm Springs - Lodging, dinner and breakfast.: |
| California Issues Forum | $621 | Dec 16, 2024 | Meals and beverages.: |
| San Diego County & Communities of Interest Legislative Caucus | $468.41 | May 16, 2024 | Valley Center - Lodging & Dinner: |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to California. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 69th highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $5,000 | May 18, 2023 | Grant for a nonprofit organization |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | Student scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | Student scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 69th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Perry Foundation | $10,000 | Jul 1, 2024 | Competitive Grant Program through the Foundation's Grassroots Recovery Grant Program |
| Women in Leadership | $5,000 | May 21, 2024 | Donation to a 501c3 |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | Women in California Leadership Foundation 5th Annual Minerva Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | Women in California Leadership Foundation 5th Annual Minerva Scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 44th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Seth Sprague Education Foundation | $15,000 | Jun 12, 2025 | Senator Blakespear facilitated the connection for a charitable donation. |
| Women in California Leadership, | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Scholarship to student |
| Women in California Leadership, | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Scholarship to student |
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Feb 5, 2025 | WICL Community Grants |
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Feb 19, 2025 | WICL Community Grants |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 57th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $5,000 | Feb 10, 2026 | Donation to a nonprofit organization that supports women and girls. |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 42nd highest for the amount of behests received.
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
Previous Election (2022):