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Headshot of Catherine Blakespear

Catherine Blakespear

Democrat, State Senate
District 38, Encinitas
Time in office:
  • Senate: 2022-present

News coverage of Catherine Blakespear

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

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 38 bills:
7 Passed
6 Failed
25 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 38 bills: 7 passed, 6 failed, and 25 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

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$320Aug 12, 2022Hell's Kitchen Opening
Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians$276Jul 9, 2022padres game
Vista City Council member Joe Green$121Aug 26, 2022Moonlight Theatre Performance
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce$60Sep 1, 2022State of the City ticket
Naval Air Forces$43.58Nov 11, 2022Armed 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
#74/120

This legislator is ranked 74th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Catherine Blakespear

SB 16
Mental health: involuntary commitment.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing

In Progress
Mental health: involuntary commitment.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Housing
SB 99
Military protective orders.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services

In Progress
Military protective orders.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services
SB 741
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

In Progress
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
SB 561
Appointment of public guardians.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

In Progress
Appointment of public guardians.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for SB 162MIN
Aug 31, 2026

SB 16

Mental health: involuntary commitment.

Preview image for SB 9542MIN
Aug 28, 2026

SB 954

California Environmental Quality Act: advanced manufacturing facilities: exemption.

Preview image for SB 9891MIN
Aug 28, 2026

SB 989

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.

Preview image for SB 74114MIN
Aug 27, 2026

SB 741

Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.

Preview image for SB 6332MIN
Aug 26, 2026

SB 633

Plastic beverage containers: recycling.

Preview image for SB 11355MIN
Aug 26, 2026

SB 1135

California Wildlife Coexistence Act.

Preview image for SB 5619MIN
Aug 26, 2026

SB 561

Appointment of public guardians.

Preview image for SB 12372MIN
Aug 26, 2026

SB 1237

Civil Rights Department.

Preview image for SR 6731MIN
Jul 2, 2026

SR 67

No Bills Identified

Preview image for SB 125945MIN
Jul 1, 2026

SB 1259

Refineries: decommissioning and remediation: cost estimates.

Preview image for SB 93614MIN
Jun 30, 2026

SB 936

Nitrous oxide: sales.

Preview image for SB 101618MIN
Jun 30, 2026

SB 1016

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program and court-ordered evaluations.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Senate District 38 boundaries.
District 38 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2022):

Catherine Blakespear
52.2%
WON
Matt Gunderson
47.8%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age