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PRESERVING, PROTECTING AND ENHANCING LIFE
FOR ALL CARLSBAD RESIDENTS

As your councilman since 2008,

I have proudly championed many successful projects improving Carlsbad residents’ quality of life while increasing the city’s revenue base.

During my first term as your councilman I enacted laws in Carlsbad preventing the sale of dogs and cats raised in the deplorable conditions of puppy mills. I worked hard to bring these same Carlsbad laws to the entire State of California. I have been working closely with the owners of The Shoppes at Carlsbad on its renovation. Completed and open are the Regal Movie Theater, 24 Hour Fitness and many new restaurants and shops. The opening of the Alga Norte Park and Pools now provides our local swim teams a place to practice and creates recreational opportunities for all ages. I championed the use of modern traffic signal technology keeping traffic flowing effectively through our streets and intersections. Spending less time in traffic and emitting fewer pollutants into the air means a better quality of life for all of us. We will continue to improve and implement this technology through out Carlsbad. I am proud to have supported the Desalination Project which now produces 50 million gallons of fresh drinking water daily. Additionally, the operators of the desalination have assumed responsibility as the Agua Hedionda Lagoon’s steward, providing long term maintenance and dredging.

Keith Blackburn

Click here to read the Best Friends Magazine article about Keith and Red. You can learn more about Keith's work against commercial pet breeding facilities by clicking here.

Vision for the future

Having had such a productive and rewarding experience as your steward, I am running for Mayor in November 2026 and asking for your support. As your Mayor, I want to continue to support the revitalization of the Carlsbad Village as well as preserve open space and maintain our beaches for the enjoyment of future generations. During our city’s continuing development and improvements, I will continue to use my business experience and public service background to maintain Carlsbad’s financial strength and security.

On behalf of our city, I serve as an active board member of several regional committees.

  • Buena Vista Lagoon Joint Powers Committee Member
  • Encina Joint Powers Member
  • Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors Chair
  • North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority Board Member
  • San Diego County Water Authority Past Board Member
  • SANDAG Public Safety Committee Past Board Member
  • SANDAG Board of Directors Past (second alternate)
  • North County Transit District Board of Directors Past (alternate)
  • Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Past City Council Liaison

Meet Keith

  • Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Management - University of Phoenix
  • Master’s degree in Organizational Management - University of Phoenix
  • Daughter Kristin, a Carlsbad High School graduate, living in Carlsbad with her husband, son and daughter
  • Forty two-year police officer, thirty-three years with the Carlsbad Police Department
  • Founding partner in the development of the Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Outlets at San Clemente
  • Managing partner in a real estate group that owns and operates residential units
  • President of the Blackburn Foundation
  • Carlsbad resident and homeowner for thirty-four years

Community Service

  • Champion of Children Award, YMCA
  • National Service to Youth award, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad
  • Champion of Children award, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad
  • Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad, 1999-2006
  • Nonprofit Blackburn Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to community-based organizations and children’s groups
  • Charter member of Endow Carlsbad
  • Volunteer at the Carlsbad Animal Shelter
  • Volunteer for Junior Achievement of San Diego County
  • Carlsbad Police Reserve Officer
  • Volunteer for Meals on Wheels, 2009-2014

Career Accomplishments

  • Carlsbad City Councilmember 2008 – current
  • Supervisor of the Year, Carlsbad Police Department, 2006
  • Instructor, University of Phoenix, Critical Thinking and Managerial Ethics
  • Carlsbad Police Department Sergeant, Retired
  • Heroism Award, American Legion
  • Certified by the Josephson Institute of Ethics

I will continue to donate my council salary to local non-profit organizations such as, The Mitchell Thorp Foundation, after school children’s programs, animal rescue organizations, and the Boys & Girls Club.







VIDEO: Fox News San Diego: Meet Our Carlsbad City Mayor Keith Blackburn, Sept 21, 2024



Endorsements

"Council member Keith Blackburn exhibits true leadership in his core values. He continues to reinforce great communication, collaboration and empowers those around him to follow his lead. Keith continues to support what is best for Carlsbad and works with his peers, community members and experts in the field to accomplish these endeavors. This is why Keith is our selection for Carlsbad Mayor."

Carlsbad Firefighters Association

"Thanks to his career as a Carlsbad police officer, Keith Blackburn truly understands the public safety challenges our city faces. We know he’ll continue to stand up for policies that support our first responders and keep Carlsbad neighborhoods safe.""

Matt Lowe, President, Carlsbad Police Officer’s Association.

I’m asking for your vote on November 3, 2026