The Ballot Brief
Orange County, California

California Senate District 38

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Catherine S. Blakespear and Laura Bassett. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Catherine S. Blakespear (Democratic) and Laura Bassett (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Catherine S. Blakespear is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. June 2 top-two primary result: Catherine S. Blakespear (DEM) 54.7 percent and Laura Bassett (REP) 45.3 percent advanced, per the Secretary of State's Statement of Vote. California's top-two primary decides who prints in November; the field is the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election (August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Catherine S. Blakespear, is on the ballot.

California › Orange County › California Senate District 38

Catherine S. Blakespear

Catherine S. Blakespear

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Reducing homelessness and the cost of living
  • Gun violence prevention and environmental protection

Per the official Senate biography.

Biography

Catherine S. Blakespear is a lawyer and former journalist who served eight years in Encinitas local government, including six as mayor, before her 2022 election to represent California's 38th Senate District, per her official Senate biography. She chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and has authored 24 bills signed into law. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Laura Bassett

Laura Bassett

Republican

Top priorities
  • Affordability and reducing wasteful state spending
  • Coastal protection and environmental stewardship
  • Public safety with accountability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bassett is a lifelong Oceanside resident who works as a licensed real estate professional and licensed professional fiduciary, owns two local businesses, and serves as a San Diego County Civil Service Commissioner, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 59

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Senate District 38 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Senate District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Catherine S. Blakespear and Laura Bassett. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Senate District 38 election in California?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for California are on the California election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Orange County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Orange County and state election office filings, last verified September 8, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full Orange County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Orange County ballot

15 tracked races in Orange County, California. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
California Assembly District 64California Assembly District 67California Assembly District 68See all 15 Orange County races
Candidate profiles
Catherine S. Blakespear, full profileLaura Bassett, full profileOfficial California election office