One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
A DOGE enthusiast who wants to thwart Newsom will be California's newest state senator
Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland, who has claimed enough votes for the 36th state Senate seat that he has avoided a runoff.
(
StricklandForSenate.com
)
Huntington Beach City Councilmember Tony Strickland will be California's newest state senator. The Republican has secured enough votes for the 36th District California Senate seat that there won't even be a runoff — and he's already making plans for Sacramento.
What does he say he's going to do?
On Instagram Strickland said, "On Day One, I will fight for lower taxes, safe neighborhoods and against Gavin Newsom and his radical policies."
At a news conference earlier this week, he said he'll also attack the state gas tax, bolster public safety, and “do what we can do to DOGE California,” a reference to the controversial federal Department of Government Efficiency run by Elon Musk.
We reached out to Strickland for more details and will update this story if we get them.
Where is the 36th California Senate District?
The district spans the Orange County coast, as well as Little Saigon, Westminster and Garden Grove. It also includes a sliver of Los Angeles County cities — Artesia, Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens.
Sponsored message
Where does the vote stand?
Because this district spans two counties, Orange County and Los Angeles County's registrars of voters certified their respective ballots this week and forwarded the results on to the California secretary of state for the final stamp of approval.
Here's where the final tally stood Friday afternoon. Winning more than 50% of the vote means Strickland avoids a runoff:
What happens to Strickland's City Council seat?
The Huntington Beach City Council is expected to appoint a replacement later this month.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
