Keith Blackburn
CA · Mayor, City of Carlsbad
Keith Blackburn has been Carlsbad's mayor since 2022 and served on the City Council from 2008, after a 29-year police career, 21 years of it with the Carlsbad Police Department. His priorities are reviving Carlsbad Village and preserving open space and beaches.
Where Keith Blackburn stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (4 records), Public Infrastructure (2 records)
Opposes
Environment and Public Health (1 record), Social Programs and Welfare (1 record)
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (3 support · 7 oppose), Housing Affordability (2 support · 1 oppose), Civil Rights (1 support · 2 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 oppose
Voted against a city emergency order requiring face coverings in Carlsbad, saying he supports masks but feared a slippery slope. It failed 2-2.
July 28, 2020Opposes Environment and Public Health
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 3 support · 7 oppose
Voted to create a new police community policing team with six added staff and $684,350. It passed 5-0.
March 24, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted to adopt the city's fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget and capital plan. It passed 5-0.
June 17, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against making an early payment toward the city's pension debt. It passed 4-1.
June 17, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against raising City Council members' pay by the regional inflation rate. It passed 3-2.
January 14, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against keeping the city's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion manager job. The motion to keep it failed 2-3.
June 18, 2024Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to draft a ballot measure raising the Proposition H spending limit to $3.09 million and exempting public safety buildings. It passed 3-1.
June 11, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion ratifying a local emergency on bike and e-bike safety and moving $2 million to safety efforts. It passed 4-0.
August 30, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against a grant for Catholic Charities to provide a clinician at the La Posada de Guadalupe homeless shelter. It passed 4-1.
May 24, 2022Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Seconded and voted for adding police budget money to fund the GUIDE program. It passed 4-1.
May 24, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against limiting the planned Alga Norte Community Park and Aquatic Center to rough grading only during the recession. The limit passed 3-2.
April 21, 2009Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 4 support
Voted to create a new police community policing team with six added staff and $684,350. It passed 5-0.
March 24, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted for new e-bike rules, including banning e-bikes in two more city parks. It passed 5-0.
February 10, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion ratifying a local emergency on bike and e-bike safety and moving $2 million to safety efforts. It passed 4-0.
August 30, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Seconded and voted for adding police budget money to fund the GUIDE program. It passed 4-1.
May 24, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 2 support · 1 oppose
Voted to approve a 50-unit mixed-use condo project at 840 Carlsbad Village Drive, citing state housing law. It passed 4-1.
July 28, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Seconded and voted for a resolution backing the Our Neighborhood Voices local-control housing initiative. It failed 2-3.
June 17, 2025Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion declaring the city's housing caps, including Proposition E, preempted by state law and unenforceable. It passed 3-2.
April 6, 2021Supports Housing Affordability
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 oppose
Voted against a grant for Catholic Charities to provide a clinician at the La Posada de Guadalupe homeless shelter. It passed 4-1.
May 24, 2022Opposes Social Programs and Welfare
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support · 2 oppose
Voted against flying the Intersectional Pride flag at City Hall each June. It passed 3-2.
June 13, 2023Opposes Civil Rights
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion supporting the federal lawsuit against California's "sanctuary state" laws, including joining a court brief. It passed 3-1.
June 12, 2018Opposes Civil Rights
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to start switching Carlsbad from citywide to by-district council elections after a voting rights demand letter. It passed 3-2.
May 9, 2017Supports Civil Rights
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 2 support
Made the motion to draft a ballot measure raising the Proposition H spending limit to $3.09 million and exempting public safety buildings. It passed 3-1.
June 11, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against limiting the planned Alga Norte Community Park and Aquatic Center to rough grading only during the recession. The limit passed 3-2.
April 21, 2009Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Track record — General
General · 28 records
Voted against a smaller Terramar coastal road project with no roundabout, backing a resurfacing-only option. It passed 4-1.
October 28, 2025
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to stop most proclamations at council meetings, except Pride Month and Arbor Day. It failed 2-3.
May 13, 2025
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to let businesses apply for code changes to allow drive-thrus, easing the city's ban. It passed 3-2.
April 29, 2025
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to review the city's commuter trip reduction rules to ease the burden on small businesses. It passed 3-2.
November 12, 2024
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against keeping the city's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion manager job. The motion to keep it failed 2-3.
June 18, 2024
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion ordering a management plan for Windsor Pointe supportive housing and a push for more county services. It passed 4-1.
March 12, 2024
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion directing staff to study residents' requests about Palomar Airport and report back in 60 days. It passed 5-0.
February 27, 2024
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against asking staff for options on a new park in southwest Carlsbad. It failed 2-3.
September 26, 2023
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against asking staff to return with an update on local rules favoring all-electric buildings. It passed 3-2.
July 11, 2023
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion asking staff for details on raising the hotel room tax, including the cost of a ballot vote. It passed 5-0.
April 4, 2023
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Received support from the San Diego County Republican Party and local police and fire associations in the 2022 mayor's race.
October 20, 2022
Source: thecoastnews.com
Voted against cutting a southbound lane on Carlsbad Boulevard and adding bike lane upgrades. It passed 3-2.
September 27, 2022
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Was appointed Mayor Pro Tem of Carlsbad by a unanimous council vote.
January 11, 2022
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to adopt the updated Local Coastal Program rules for coastal land use. It passed 3-2.
October 19, 2021
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against asking staff for more information on an independent redistricting commission. It passed 3-2.
March 9, 2021
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against starting a review of police use-of-force rules and of council members serving as volunteer police officers. It failed 2-2.
September 1, 2020
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against asking staff for a resolution backing a Palomar Airport plan with no runway extension. It passed 3-2.
June 11, 2019
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against a Carlsbad Boulevard redesign with a roundabout at Cannon Road and a signal at Cerezo Drive. It passed 3-2.
November 27, 2018
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to schedule a discussion on adding license plate reader cameras to all police patrol cars. It passed 4-1.
August 21, 2018
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to adopt a law banning commercial cannabis businesses in Carlsbad. It passed 4-1.
September 26, 2017
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion to adopt the ordinance creating Carlsbad's first council district map. It passed 4-1.
July 25, 2017
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against allowing short-term vacation rentals in two buildings at the La Costa Resort and Spa. The change passed 3-2.
February 23, 2016
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against repealing the city's ban on selling dogs and cats in retail pet stores. The repeal passed 3-2.
November 5, 2013
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Made the motion for an urgency law banning the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores. It passed 3-1.
October 8, 2013
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted to let a store sell and store firearms in an industrial zone on Loker Avenue West. The appeal was granted 3-2.
May 14, 2013
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against placing a city charter amendment on employee retirement benefits on the November 2010 ballot. It passed 4-1, and he was named to write the argument against it.
July 27, 2010
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against changing the state pension (CalPERS) contract for city police and fire employees. It advanced 4-1.
June 29, 2010
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Voted against imposing pay and benefit terms on city firefighters after contract talks reached an impasse. The council approved them 4-1.
May 18, 2010
Source: records.carlsbadca.gov
Past race Keith Blackburn ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · Carlsbad city, California · incumbent