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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.
Catherine Blakespear | |
|---|---|
 Blakespear in 2022 | |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 38th district | |
| Assumed office December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Pat Bates |
| Mayor of Encinitas | |
| In office February 8, 2016 – December 3, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Kristin Gaspar |
| Succeeded by | Tony Kranz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Catherine Blake February 29, 1976 Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jeremy Spearman |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Cardiff, California |
| Education | Northwestern University (BS, MS) University of Utah (JD) |
| Occupation | Estate planning attorney |
| Profession | Politician journalist (formerly) |
| Website | sd38 |
Early life and education
editBlakespear 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.[1] In 2006, she received her JD from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law 2006.[2]
Career
editBlakespear was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times in 1994, and after that was Associated Press reporter.[1]
Prior to her time in elected office, Blakespear was an estate planning attorney.[1]
Politics
editPrior 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.[3]
Personal life
editBlakespear'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.[1]