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State legislative office

California State Senator, District 38

This office represents State Senate District 38 in the California Legislature.

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Data coverage
Government
State of California
Public body
California State Senate
Electoral area
State Senate District 38
Map of California State Senate District 38
State Senate district
i
State Senate District 38 boundary from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb current upper-chamber legislative-district layer.

Office overview

The office at a glance

See what this office does, the government it belongs to, the area it represents, and how voters choose its officeholder.

Government levelStateState of California
Contest typePartisanVoter-nominated office
SeatDistrict 38One of 40 State Senate seats
Regular term4 yearsEven- and odd-numbered districts are elected in alternating cycles

What this office does

Represents District 38 in the State Senate

The office votes on state laws, appropriations, and oversight while representing residents and communities within the district.

California State Senate

Election process

A top-two primary leads to the general election

California uses a top-two primary for this office. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election regardless of party. State Senate districts serve four-year terms, with even- and odd-numbered districts elected in alternating cycles.

Next electionJune 2, 2026

Open the 2026 Election Page
Detailed district statistics2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates

Survey estimates describe the current State Senate district and are not the same as the official 2020 redistricting population count. Margins of error use the ACS 90% confidence level. Hispanic or Latino includes people of any race; the remaining race categories are non-Hispanic.

People and households

Estimated population
966,269±5,017
Median age
38.8 years±0.4 years
Households
350,395±2,756

Income and education

Median household income
$126,986±$2,390; 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars
People below the poverty line
7.3%±0.4 percentage points
Bachelor's degree or higher
53.9%±0.6 percentage points; population age 25+

Housing

Housing units
379,771±2,699
Occupied housing units
350,395±2,756
Vacant housing units
29,376±1,549
Vacancy rate
7.7%±0.4 percentage points

Race and ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino (any race)
25.0%±0.5 percentage points
White alone, not Hispanic
56.0%±0.5 percentage points
Black alone, not Hispanic
2.0%±0.2 percentage points
American Indian or Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic
0.1%±0.0 percentage points
Asian alone, not Hispanic
10.0%±0.4 percentage points
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic
0.3%±0.1 percentage points
Some other race alone, not Hispanic
0.6%±0.1 percentage points
Two or more races, not Hispanic
6.0%±0.3 percentage points
U.S. Census Bureau district profile

Current officeholder

Who currently holds this office?

Current officeholder identified by the official California State Senate directory.

Official portrait of Catherine S. Blakespear
California State Senate

Current officeholder

Catherine S. Blakespear

California State Senator, District 38

Status
Current officeholder
Party
Democratic
First elected
Connected election
June 2, 2026

Legislative work

Committee assignments

Current official Senate directory
Standing Committees
  • Budget and Fiscal ReviewMember
  • Emergency ManagementMember
  • Environmental QualityChair
  • Governmental OrganizationMember
  • TransportationMember
Subcommittees
  • Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and EnergyMember
  • Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor ResiliencyChair
Joint Committees
  • Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change PoliciesMember
  • Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency ManagementMember
Official committee list

Contact this office

Office
1021 O Street, Suite 7720, Sacramento, CA 95814-4900
Official contact page Official office source
Past officeholders2 verified succession records

Succession history

Explore prior service

Verified Senate District 38 session snapshots beginning with 2015–2016; one earlier session is included when needed to identify a predecessor.

Service ranges identify the first and last biennial sessions in the California State Library dataset; they do not assert exact swearing-in or departure dates. District numbers continue across redistricting, so earlier records may describe materially different boundaries.

Electoral area

Where this office represents

See the geographic area represented by this office and open its location information when available.

Interactive area map

Explore places and districts connected to State Senate District 38

State Senate District 38 includes parts of Orange and San Diego counties. Communities represented across the district include Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, Mission Viejo, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, and Laguna Hills.

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Places and districts shownLoading related pages

Past elections

Election history

This section covers completed elections. Current and upcoming contests remain on the Election Page linked from the top of this Office Page. A published past Election Page contains the full candidate list, certified result, campaign-finance coverage, methodology, and source documents.

State legislative officeCertified

California State Senate District 38

June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election · 2 candidates
Money in
$0.00
Money out
$0.00
Open Election Page

Election and finance details summarize the connected record. Missing or unpublished filings do not mean zero activity.

Public records

Records connected to this office

Open the official records used to follow the work, decisions, or disclosures connected to this office.

Legislative activity

Authored legislation

Review Senate bills authored by the officeholder during each legislative session. Coauthored bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments are not included in this list.

Catherine S. Blakespear is listed as the author of each senate bill below. Statuses were reviewed August 17, 2026. Showing all 35 bills.

SB 14 State agencies: solid waste diversion: single-use plastic bottlesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Appropriations SB 15 FirearmsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Died · Appropriations SB 16 Mental health: involuntary commitmentAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 92 Housing development: density bonusesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Chaptered SB 99 Military protective ordersAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 242 Medicare supplement coverage: open enrollment periodsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Died · Appropriations SB 329 Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigationsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 403 End of Life Option Act: sunsetAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Chaptered SB 427 Habitat Conservation FundAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Chaptered SB 455 Electric bicyclesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Died · Appropriations SB 477 California Fair Employment and Housing Act: enforcement proceduresAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Chaptered SB 561 Appointment of public guardiansAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 569 Bikeways: reversions and modificationsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 633 Plastic beverage containers: recyclingAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 644 Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limitsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Died · Appropriations SB 710 Property taxation: active solar energy systemsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Chaptered SB 741 Low Carbon Transit Operations ProgramAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 755 California Contractor Climate Transparency ActAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Died · Appropriations SB 866 Planning and zoning: annual report: emergency shelterAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Appropriations SB 936 Nitrous oxide: salesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 954 California Environmental Quality Act: advanced manufacturing facilities: exemptionAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 955 Beverage containers: supermarkets: reverse vending machinesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 965 Public libraries: library cardsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Unfinished Business SB 967 Planning and zoning: housing element: interim housing units: acutely low income householdsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Appropriations SB 989 Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court ProgramAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1016 Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program and court-ordered evaluationsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Appropriations SB 1031 Solid waste: compostable productsAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Appropriations SB 1046 Occupational safety: transboundary pollutionAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1088 Health care decisions: life-sustaining treatmentAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Unfinished Business SB 1135 California Wildlife Coexistence ActAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1136 Intercity rail and commuter rail: special events service plans: fare system integrationAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Appropriations SB 1167 Vehicles: electric bicyclesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1237 Civil Rights DepartmentAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1259 Refineries: decommissioning and remediation: cost estimatesAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Assembly · Third Reading SB 1324 Passenger and freight rail: LOSSAN Rail Corridor: working group reportAuthored by Catherine S. Blakespear Senate · Passed
Open the complete official session search

Official directory

California State Senate directory record for District 38

Verify the office, current Senator, committee assignments, public contact information, and district assignment.

Open official record

News and Press Releases

Updates from this office

Read press releases, official updates, and coverage selected by this office. Follow each link to its source.

Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear logo
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear
Press release

Sen. Blakespear is Joined by DA Stephan, Sheriff Martinez, Supervisor Foley and Others Calling to Restrict Nitrous Oxide Sales

SB 936 would limit nitrous oxide sales to legitimate purposes to help prevent its widespread use as a dangerous recreational drug

Official sourceRead official update
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear logo
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear
Press release

Senate Passes Sen. Blakespear’s Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Care

SB 989 and 1016 ensure that people who need mental health treatment are directed by courts to receive services

Official sourceRead official update

Sources

Sources and data coverage

Review the public records used on this page, what Paper Trail Politics has captured, and what remains incomplete.

Current assessmentComplete coverage

The office identity, electoral area, connected 2026 election, and available official sources are included.

Assessed August 17, 2026 · Current 2026 records

Visual and interaction QA has not yet been completed for this generated page.

Sources used on this page8 source organizations · 17 records
California Secretary of State

2 records from this source are used on the page.

California State Senate District 38 district totalshttps://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2026-primary/sov/90-state-senator.xlsxOfficial election event and result source for November 8, 2022 General Election.https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/prior-elections/statewide-election-results/general-election-nov-8-2022/statement-vote
U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Boundary source for California State Senate District 38https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Legislative/MapServer/1
California State Senate

6 records from this source are used on the page.

Official government information about the office and public bodyhttps://www.senate.ca.gov/senatorsCurrent officeholder identified by the official California State Senate directory.https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=SD38&inframe=NPortrait source page for Catherine S. Blakespearhttps://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/styles/large/public/media/BLAKESPEAR%252C%2520CATHERINE%2520%2528D%2520-38%2529_9.jpg?itok=AbZqc0ZpReviewed photograph for Brian Joneshttps://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/styles/large/public/media/Brian%2520Jones%2520Headshot%2520%2528Main%2529_0_3.jpg?itok=P7SsCS8_Committee assignments for Catherine S. Blakespear (Current official Senate directory)https://www.senate.ca.gov/senators/38Reviewed source for when Catherine S. Blakespear's current uninterrupted Senate service began.https://www.senate.ca.gov/system/files/2024-12/2466_joint-handbook_2023-24_complete.pdf
California Legislative Information

2 records from this source are used on the page.

Complete authored senate bills search for 2025–2026 Sessionhttps://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billSearchClient.xhtml?session_year=20252026&house=Senate&author=Blakespear&lawCode=AllComplete authored senate bills search for 2023–2024 Sessionhttps://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billSearchClient.xhtml?session_year=20232024&house=Senate&author=Blakespear&lawCode=All
U.S. Census Bureau district profile

1 record from this source is used on the page.

2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates detailed district statisticshttps://data.census.gov/profile?g=610XX00US06038
Census Reporter

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Access copy of the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates Census tables used for district statisticshttps://censusreporter.org/profiles/61000US06038/
California State Library · Demographics in the California Legislature

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Verified succession chronology for California State Senator, District 38https://lab.data.ca.gov/dataset/demographics-in-the-california-legislature/9dc0c75b-5a89-483f-9590-ec41bfe26882
Office of Senator Catherine S. Blakespear

3 records from this source are used on the page.

Press release: Sen. Blakespear is Joined by DA Stephan, Sheriff Martinez, Supervisor Foley and Others Calling to Restrict Nitrous Oxide Saleshttps://sd38.senate.ca.gov/news/sen-blakespear-joined-da-stephan-sheriff-martinez-supervisor-foley-and-others-calling-restrictPublished image: Sen. Blakespear is Joined by DA Stephan, Sheriff Martinez, Supervisor Foley and Others Calling to Restrict Nitrous Oxide Saleshttps://sd38.senate.ca.gov/sites/sd38.senate.ca.gov/files/website/sd38_logo_seal_white_initial.pngPress release: Senate Passes Sen. Blakespear’s Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Carehttps://sd38.senate.ca.gov/news/senate-passes-sen-blakespears-legislation-improve-access-mental-health-care
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