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: