# 2025 California's 36th senatorial district special election

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vte :
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. Republican candidate Tony Strickland won the election with fifty-one percent of the vote.

## 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. Unlike in regular elections, candidates in special elections in California can be elected in the first round.

## Candidates

The following candidates were certified for the first round ballot:
* 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

* 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)
* 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)
* Stonewall Democratic Club
* California Republican Party
* Orange County Register
* Orange County Democratic Party (denounced Republican candidate Tony Strickland)

## Results

2025 California Senate District 36 special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tony Strickland | 81,133 | 51.3% |
| | Democratic | Jimmy D. Pham | 43,730 | 27.7% |
| | Democratic | Julie Diep | 22,647 | 14.3% |
| | Republican | John Briscoe | 10,588 | 6.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 158,098 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |