Blakespear Names Communications Director

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, announced on Tuesday hiring Capitol veteran Andrew LaMar as her communications director.

In his role, LaMar will coordinate Blakespear’s communications with constituents and the media and serve as a political and legislative adviser.

“I am building the best team possible to serve my constituents and fight for the issues they care about,” Blakespear said. “Andrew’s skill and experience adds more depth to an already strong team.”

LaMar previously served as communications director for Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, and Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys. He also worked as communications director for the California Department of Human Resources and most recently as director of external affairs for the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB).

At CalVCB, LaMar led a resurgence in the agency’s outreach efforts and helped win $23 million in additional funding for Trauma Recovery Centers. He also helped launch the Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program and negotiate legislation to expand benefits for crime victims.

“I am thrilled to be part of Sen. Blakespear’s team,” LaMar said. “Sen. Blakespear is passionate about serving the communities she represents and finding pragmatic solutions to their biggest problems, such as homelessness and gun violence.”

LaMar joins a staff that includes Chief of Staff Heather Resetarits and District Director Jack Christensen. Resetarits, who has a law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law,  previously served as chief of staff for Sen. Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont.

Christensen, who has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of California, San Diego, worked as the senior government relations officer at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) before becoming district director.

Elected in November, Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern coastal San Diego County and part of Orange County and includes the communities of Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside and Mission Viejo.

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