With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Live results: Special election for 36th State Senate race in OC and LA
(
LAist
)
About the vote count
It could take several days for this primary election to be called. As you watch these results keep in mind:
- There are 637,782 registered voters in the 36th State Senate district.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by today and received by your county's registrar by March 4.
- The primary election is scheduled to be certified no later than March 6.
- If a candidate fails to win more than 50% of the vote in this primary, the top two vote-getters will face off in a general election set for April 29.
- You can click here to track your ballot and make sure it gets counted in Orange County and click here to make sure it gets counted in L.A.
What is at stake in this race
Four candidates — two Republicans and two Democrats — are vying to replace former state Senator Janet Nguyen, who won a seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors in November. The winner will serve out the remainder of Nguyen’s term, which ends in December 2026.
Sponsored message
LAist asked all four candidates, John Briscoe, Julie Diep, Jimmy Pham and Tony Strickland about their priorities, and you can read their answers here.
Why this race matters
The top two vote-getters will face off in April unless one of the candidates wins more than 50% of the vote outright.
There are lots of statewide problems to tackle — recovery from the recent wildfires and the threat of future wildfires, climate change, the high cost of housing and more. The California State Senate is one-half of our state Legislature. Along with the Assembly, it essentially serves as California’s Congress as state lawmakers draft and pass laws that govern the entire state.
Map of the district
The 36th California Senate district stretches along the Orange County coast from Dana Point north to Seal Beach. It also encompasses the Little Saigon area of Orange County, including the cities of Westminster and Garden Grove, as well as the Los Angeles County cities of Cerritos, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens.
Sponsored message
CalMatters contributed to this report.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
