Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland kept his lead in California’s 36th State Senate District special election as of the latest vote count on Friday, Feb. 28.
After Friday evening’s updates, which included tallies from both Los Angeles and Orange counties, Strickland held 51.3% of the vote. If he can stay above the 50% plus one threshold, he’ll win the seat outright without needing to go to an April runoff.
“The numbers look great, and our lead seems to be holding,” Strickland said in a statement Friday evening. “I’m cautiously optimistic about avoiding a runoff election in April. Our campaign message of Surf City common sense resonated with voters.”
Elections officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties have until Thursday, March 6, to finalize and certify the results.
On Friday, Democrats Jimmy Pham and Julie Diep, along with Republican John Briscoe, trailed behind Strickland in that order.
Pham, who had 27.7% of the vote in Friday’s update, declined to comment further beyond the statement he issued on Wednesday. He said then: “While the vote counting continues, I’m staying focused on the fight to protect Medicaid, our schools and lower the cost of living for every Californian.”
Diep said she knew the numbers were “stacked against the Democrats,” but didn’t want Strickland to run uncontested.
“For me, it was worth putting a Democratic name on the ballot. I wanted the community to know we are fighting for equality and inclusion for all Californians,” she said.
Republicans account for the largest share of registered voters in the district at 37.11%, followed by Democrats at 33.93%, while 22.61% are registered with no party preference.
Briscoe could not be reached for comment Friday.
If Strickland wins, the Huntington Beach City Council, which has a conservative majority, will be able to appoint his replacement.
The 36th Senate District stretches from Seal Beach to San Clemente along the Orange County coast to a small portion of Los Angeles County. It includes parts of Buena Park, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Stanton and Westminster in Orange County, as well as Artesia, Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens in Los Angeles County.
The seat became vacant when former GOP state Sen. Janet Nguyen won her race for Orange County Supervisor.