Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
OC's likely new state senator vows to channel Elon Musk with 'DOGE California'
(
LAist
)
Republican Tony Strickland claimed victory Monday in last month’s special election to fill the vacant seat in the California state Senate’s 36th district, although a final vote count is not expected until later this week.
Where is the district?
The 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.
Support for LAist comes from
(
StricklandForSenate.com
)
Who is Tony Strickland?
Strickland currently serves on the Huntington Beach City Council and previously served 10 years in the state legislature.
What’s the status of votes?
There are still several thousand votes to count, but Strickland has held a more than 50% lead since Election Day a week ago. If that lead holds as expected, he avoids a runoff by winning more than half the vote.
What does he say he’ll do in Sacramento?
Strickland promised to 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.
Support for LAist comes from
What happens to Strickland’s city council seat?
Strickland announced he’ll step down from his seat on Huntington Beach's conservative City Council on March 10. The remaining council will then have to appoint a replacement, which a city spokesperson said is likely to happen at the city’s meeting on March 18.
What’s next?
The vote has to be officially certified by March 6. Strickland’s inauguration date has yet to be set.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’
Best of LAist