Catherine Blakespear is a Democrat representing California State Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. She was elected in 2022, assuming office on December 5, 2022, with her current term ending December 7, 2026. A former journalist and estate planning attorney, she lives in Encinitas with her husband, two teenagers, and her mother. Notable achievements include authoring 24 bills signed into law, such as bans on plastic grocery bags, gun violence prevention measures requiring firearm surrender during mental health crises, and preservation of solar tax breaks. She has chaired policy summits on homelessness and prioritizes reducing homelessness, curbing living costs, enhancing safety, protecting the environment, improving transit, and addressing climate change. As Encinitas mayor, she made the city the first in San Diego County to deliver 100% renewable power, passed a stringent climate action plan, banned ghost guns, enacted safe gun storage rules, supported red flag laws, and provided pandemic aid to businesses.

Education and Political Experience

• Professional Background: Former journalist and estate planning attorney.
• Local Government: Served eight years in Encinitas—six as mayor and two on the city council.
• State Senate Roles: Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency; member of Senate Budget, Governmental Organization, and Transportation committees, plus Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy; also on the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies. A consistent advocate for women's reproductive rights.