Catherine Blakespear

Catherine Smith Blakespear (née Blake; born February 29, 1976) is an American politician and former journalist who is currently serving in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 38th Senate District, which encompasses the Northern San Diego County and Southern Orange County region.

Early life and education
Blakespear was born on February 29, 1976, in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, California. She graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 1994 and graduated in 1999 from Northwestern University in Chicago where she earned a BS and MS degree in Journalism. In 2006, she received her JD from the University of Utah and S.J. Quinney College of Law 2006.

Career
Blakespear was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times in 1994, and after that was Associated Press reporter.

Prior to her time in elected office, Blakespear was an estate planning attorney.

Politics
Prior to her election to the State Senate, Blakespear served on the Encinitas city council in 2014, and then 3 terms as mayor of the city from December 2016 to November 2022. While mayor of Encinitas, Blakespear served as chair of SANDAG.

Personal life
Blakespear's family has lived in the Encinitas area for nearly a century. Catherine met her husband while reporting on the Salt Lake City Olympics. Catherine and husband Jeremy reside in Encinitas. They have 2 children.