2025 California Senate District 36 special election

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2025 California Senate District 36 special election
California State Senate; District 36
Reporting	98%as of Feb. 28 5:06 PM PST
Senator before election; Vacant; Janet Nguyen until November 30, 2024; Republican	Elected Senator ; Tony Strickland; Republican

A special election was held in the U.S. state of California to elect a new member for District 36 in the California State Senate, representing much of coastal Orange County. A primary was held on February 25, 2025. The election filled a vacancy caused by the election of Republican senator Janet Nguyen to the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The election took place concurrently with a special election in Assembly District 32.^[1] Republican candidate Tony Strickland won the primary with fifty-one percent of the vote.^[2]

Background

Republican state assemblywoman Janet Nguyen won election to this district with 56.9 percent of the vote in 2022. In 2024, she was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, leaving her senate seat open. As of October 2024, the 36th Senate District leans Republican, with 236,668 registered Republican voters as opposed to 216,377 Democrats.^[3] Unlike in regular elections, candidates in special elections in California can be elected in the first round.^[4]

Candidates

The following candidates were certified for the first round ballot:^[5]

John Briscoe, broker and business owner, general election candidate for California's 42nd congressional district in 2024 (Republican)
Julie Diep, disability rights advocate (Democratic)
Jimmy D. Pham, attorney and business owner, general election candidate for California's 70th State Assembly district in 2024 (Democratic)
Tony Strickland, Huntington Beach city councilman, former mayor, assemblyman, and state senator (Republican)

Endorsements

Jimmy D. Pham (D)

Rob Bonta, 34th Attorney General of California (2021–present), member of the California State Assembly from the 18th district (2012–2021), member of the Alameda City Council (2010–2012)^[6]
Dave Min, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 47th congressional district (2025–present), member of the California Senate from the 37th district (2020–2024)^[6]
Stonewall Democratic Club^[7]

Tony Strickland (R)

Declined to endorse

Orange County Democratic Party (denounced Republican candidate Tony Strickland)^[9]

Results

2025 California Assembly District 36 special election
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Tony Strickland
	Democratic	Jimmy D. Pham
	Democratic	Julie Diep
	Republican	John Briscoe
Total

References

^ "Governor Newsom proclaims special election for Senate District 36, Assembly District 32". CA.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ "Republican Tony Strickland declares victory in 36th State Senate District special election". Mercury News. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
^ "Report of Registration as of October 21, 2024 Registration by State Senate District" (PDF). California SOS. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ "Guide to Filling a Vacancy in Elective Office (Results of Special Primary Election)" (PDF). Orange County Registrar of Voters. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
^ "STATE SENATE DISTRICT 36 SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION" (PDF). Los Angeles Vote. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Replogle, Jill (February 13, 2025). "Voter Game Plan: Get ready to vote in the 36th State Senate race". LAist. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ "Stonewall Democratic Club Proudly Endorses Jimmy Pham". Stonewall Democratic Club. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ "Endorsement: Tony Strickland in California's 36th Senate District". Orange County Register. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ "Special Election! State Senate District 36". Orange County Democrats. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

External links

Elections and Voter Information (California Secretary of State)

Official campaign websites

[1] "Governor Newsom proclaims special election for Senate District 36, Assembly District 32". CA.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[2] "Republican Tony Strickland declares victory in 36th State Senate District special election". Mercury News. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.

[3] "Report of Registration as of October 21, 2024 Registration by State Senate District" (PDF). California SOS. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[4] "Guide to Filling a Vacancy in Elective Office (Results of Special Primary Election)" (PDF). Orange County Registrar of Voters. Retrieved February 19, 2025.

[5] "STATE SENATE DISTRICT 36 SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION" (PDF). Los Angeles Vote. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[GamePlan-6] Replogle, Jill (February 13, 2025). "Voter Game Plan: Get ready to vote in the 36th State Senate race". LAist. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[7] "Stonewall Democratic Club Proudly Endorses Jimmy Pham". Stonewall Democratic Club. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[8] "Endorsement: Tony Strickland in California's 36th Senate District". Orange County Register. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[9] "Special Election! State Senate District 36". Orange County Democrats. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

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