Democratic state Sen. Catherine Blakespear has widened her lead over Republican challenger Laura Bassett in the race for California's 38th Senate District, according to the latest available election returns.
Blakespear had received 153,039 votes, or 55.8%, compared with Bassett's 121,162 votes, or 44.2%, in the latest districtwide tally reported by The Ballot Book.
That gives Blakespear a lead of 31,877 votes out of 274,201 counted districtwide. The totals include votes from both San Diego and Orange counties.
The results are unofficial and may change as county election officials continue processing and reviewing ballots. The race will determine who represents coastal North County and portions of southern Orange County in the state Senate for the next four years.
Blakespear maintains lead in bid for second term
Blakespear, a Democrat and former Encinitas mayor, was first elected to the state Senate in 2022 after flipping the district from Republican to Democratic control.
Before joining the Legislature, she served as Encinitas mayor from 2016 to 2022 and on the Encinitas City Council beginning in 2014.
During her first Senate term, Blakespear has focused on issues including coastal protection, transportation, housing affordability and environmental policy. She chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and has worked on issues affecting the coastal rail corridor between San Diego and Los Angeles.
According to KPBS, her campaign priorities included making California more affordable, improving public safety and protecting the environment.
Blakespear entered the general election after receiving approximately 54.7% of the vote in the June primary. Bassett received 45.3%, according to Ballotpedia's primary election results.
Bassett sought to return the district to Republican control
Bassett, a Republican, challenged Blakespear in a district Republicans hoped to reclaim after losing the seat in 2022.
A small business owner and licensed professional fiduciary, Bassett also serves on the San Diego County Civil Service Commission. She is an Oceanside resident, according to KPBS.
Bassett's campaign focused on lowering the cost of living, reducing state government spending and addressing public safety. She also emphasized coastal protection and environmental issues affecting beach communities.
She received support from prominent Republican officials, including state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond.
The race drew attention because Republicans saw District 38 as a potential pickup opportunity. The district has a Democratic registration advantage, but its political makeup makes it more competitive than many other coastal California districts, according to LAist's 2026 Senate election guide.
What the election means for Del Mar and Solana Beach
Senate District 38 stretches along the coast from northern San Diego County into southern Orange County. It includes communities such as Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside, as well as portions of Orange County.
For Del Mar and Solana Beach, one major regional issue is the future of the coastal railroad, including efforts to stabilize the Del Mar bluffs and eventually relocate tracks away from vulnerable sections of coastline.
Blakespear has worked on legislation and regional discussions related to the rail corridor. The district's next senator will also have a role in statewide decisions affecting housing development, education, transportation funding and public safety.
The race was closely watched statewide
The contest attracted attention beyond North County because of its potential effect on the balance of power in the California Senate.
Democrats entered the election holding a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber. Republicans hoped to gain seats, including District 38, to reduce that advantage.
The district has a competitive political history. Blakespear won the seat in 2022 after it had previously been held by a Republican.
Ballot counting continues
The latest published figures are unofficial. California counties continue to process and verify ballots after Election Day, and vote totals may change as additional eligible ballots are counted.
Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day may arrive and be counted through the state's seven-day receipt window. County election officials must complete their canvasses by Dec. 3, with the California secretary of state scheduled to certify statewide results by Dec. 11, according to The Sacramento Bee's election results coverage.
Residents can follow updated totals through the California Secretary of State's election results website, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters and the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
