Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland declared victory Monday in the special election race for California’s 36th State Senate District, promising to counter the policies of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the legislature once he joins lawmakers in Sacramento.

As of the latest tally, Strickland is over the 50% plus 1 mark needed to avoid the runoff, but more than 14,000 ballots remain.

Voters are casting final ballots Tuesday in a primary election for the 36th State Senate District in parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Can Strickland avoid the April runoff? He faces John Briscoe, Julie Diep and Jimmy Pham in today’s primary contest.

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.

The Republican maintains a big lead in the special election, with the results to be certified later this week.

Tuesday marks the first day for early in-person voting in northern Lancaster County’s 36th Senate District special election before polls open March 25.