Your overview of the candidates and issues in the Feb. 25 special election. The top two vote-getters will face off in April unless one of the candidates wins more than 50% of the vote outright.
By Jill Replogle and CalMatters
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. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes in the Feb. 25 primary election, the top two vote-getters will face off in a general election on April 29.
The winner will serve out the remainder of Nguyen’s term, which ends in December 2026.
Read on to learn what state senators do, and how the candidates responded to an LAist questionnaire.
Where is the district?
The 36th California state Senate district stretches all along the Orange County coast from Dana Point north to Seal Beach. It also encompasses the Little Saigon area of O.C., including the cities of Westminster and Garden Grove, and the Los Angeles County cities of Cerritos, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens.
What do state senators do?
The California State Senate is one-half of our state legislature. Along with the Assembly, it essentially serves as California’s Congress.
State senators also:
Represent constituents, holding meetings in the district and keeping attuned to priorities. They also often work with local elected officials, such as city councils, to transmit their concerns to Sacramento.
Participate on some of 22 standing committees, six subcommittees or joint committees in the state legislature, each focused on areas such as labor, health and the environment.
Introduce as many as 40 bills per two-year session, as well as specific budget items.
Why does this race matter?
State lawmakers draft and pass laws that govern the entire state. These laws can provide benefits that aren’t granted by the federal government, such as paid family leave or in-state tuition for undocumented college students.
They can impose rules that apply statewide, like restrictions on buying guns, or not allowing restaurants to provide single-use plastic straws unless a customer requests it.
State lawmakers also sometimes introduce and shepherd legislation specific to the community they represent and its problems or concerns.
In recent elections, the 36th District seat has been held by Republicans, which make up a small minority in the state Legislature.
Currently, Republicans hold just nine out of the Senate’s 40 seats, which means they have to work across party lines to get legislation passed.
During Nguyen’s last year in the 36th District seat, she authored around five dozen bills, including several to set additional standards for animal shelters, require reports on the state’s birth defect monitoring program, and to recognize South Vietnamese veterans of the Vietnam War. Fourteen of her bills ultimately passed.
What is the district’s party registration?
Currently, Republicans hold a slight advantage in registration in the 36th District. Here’s the breakdown:
Republicans, 37.1%
Democrats, 33.9%
No Party Preference, 22.6%
Other parties, 6.4%
What’s up next for the current legislative term?
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.
Meet the candidates and read about their priorities
The candidates appear here in the same order they do on the ballot. We asked all four candidates the same series of questions about some of the key issues facing the district. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and context.
John Briscoe
Republican, business owner/broker
Campaign website: JohnBriscoe.US
Briscoe was a long-time member of the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees until he lost reelection in November. He has run for the U.S. House of Representatives four times and lost. He owns a property management company with his wife.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the 36th District?
Inflation … Biden-Harris price increases have devastated and priced O.C. families out of groceries and housing.
Briefly, how would you use your office to address that challenge?
California has the highest taxes in the USA. Senators can cut and reduce spending, including the outrageous gas tax and high-speed rail boondoggle.
Specifically, how would you use the Senate office to help tackle the state’s housing deficit and rising unaffordability?
Twenty-two million illegal aliens invading across our border certainly does have an impact on our housing supply. We must deport all crime-connected aliens first, followed by all “getaways” and trafficked migrants. So-called sanctuary jurisdictions must obey federal immigration laws and cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
How do you plan to interact with your constituents and respond to their concerns?
I will be deeply engaged in the enormity that is CA36 through personal visits and interactions with all city councils, school boards, water boards, O.C. Supervisors, service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, Assistance League), town hall meetings, and constant Facebook and Instagram videos.
Think two years down the line, what do you hope will be three accomplishments that you’ll brag about in hopes of being re-elected?
1. Installation of standard private sector business purchasing practices, including 2% 10, Net 30. This normal and customary savings tool is totally omitted from school district, municipal, and county purchasing. The federal Robinson Patman Act clearly directs vendors to offer (a) fair, (b) equal and (c) proportionate pricing and terms to all customers. This is not current practice, costing the government millions of lost dollars every year. 2. Increase water storage capacity in the California water supply system by building the Auburn Dam. This project has been reviewed and approved for decades but has been stonewalled by state authorities. California's population has doubled with no concomitant increase in water storage. [Too much] Sierra water is flushed out to sea; there is plenty for smelt AND the doubled California population. 3. Reduce onerous over-regulation burdens on California businesses. Every single new reporting and regulating event costs businesses time and money, and worse, it inhibits business formation. This means fewer jobs and lower incomes in the district.
Julie Diep
Democrat, disability rights advocate
Campaign website: VoteJulieDiep.com
Julie Diep is a speech pathologist and founder of the OC Autism Foundation. She won a seat on the Anaheim Elementary School District Board of Education in November.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the 36th District?
The 36th District, situated along the coast, faces a significant challenge posed by climate change. The district's proximity to the ocean makes it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion. This threatens coastal communities and infrastructure, including homes, businesses, and vital transportation routes. We are also facing hotter and drier conditions, increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires. This poses a significant threat to both lives and property, particularly in inland areas of the district.
Briefly, how would you use your office to address that challenge?
Implementing shoreline restoration projects, constructing seawalls, and developing coastal adaptation plans to protect communities from rising sea levels and erosion, specifically: Offering tax breaks or credits to businesses and homeowners who invest in solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. Reducing bureaucratic hurdles and streamlining the permitting process for renewable energy projects to encourage faster development. Introducing and supporting legislation that allocates state and federal funds for coastal protection projects, such as grants for local governments and non-profit organizations.
Specifically, how would you use the Senate office to help tackle the state’s housing deficit and rising unaffordability?
Streamline approvals for mixed-use developments near transit, prioritizing walkability and public transit, and minimizing traffic while respecting local control. Encourage the conversion of underutilized commercial buildings into workforce housing, creating new units and revitalizing areas. Champion legislation allowing resident ownership of mobile home parks, ensuring long-term affordability and community stability. These strategies will increase housing supply, preserve affordability, and foster vibrant, sustainable communities.
How do you plan to interact with your constituents and respond to their concerns?
Monthly newsletters will keep residents informed about legislative updates and important community news. In-person meetings will provide a dedicated space for constituents to discuss personal concerns and seek individual assistance. Quarterly town hall meetings to address district-wide issues, foster open dialogue, and gather input from diverse perspectives. This combination of communication channels will ensure that the voices of the 36th District are heard and that I am effectively representing their interests in the State Senate.
Think two years down the line, what do you hope will be three accomplishments that you’ll brag about in hopes of being re-elected?
Shoreline mitigation for community safety — addressing coastal erosion and sea-level rise by securing grants and collaborating with local agencies to implement sand replenishment, upgrading seawalls to meet the latest state guidelines, and maintaining property drainage to reduce landslide frequency to protect homes and businesses. Fire prevention — Substantially reducing fire risk and increasing shared responsibility among residents, local and state governments to enhance vegetation management, modernize our emergency response infrastructure, and provide our firefighters with cutting-edge tools and training. Workforce housing — Transforming vacant commercial spaces into affordable workforce housing, streamlining zoning processes to make it easier to repurpose underused properties, and ensuring that those who serve our community such as teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers can afford to live locally, contributing to reduced commuting times and enhanced public safety.
Jimmy Pham
Democrat, attorney/business owner
Campaign website: JimmyPhamCA.com
Jimmy Pham is an attorney specializing in immigration law. He ran for state Assembly in 2024 and lost to incumbent Tri Ta, a Republican. The list of endorsements on his website include Congressman Dave Min and California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the 36th District?
Climate change and its impacts on the environment are affecting the lives of everyone in the 36th District. Sea level rise and erosion threaten the stability of our coastline, putting at risk our economy, transportation systems, and housing. Prolonged drought and inconsistent rain exacerbate the intensity of wildfires, as apparent from the Palisades, Eaton, and Airport Fires in recent months.
Briefly, how would you use your office to address that challenge?
As state senator, I would advocate for additional funding to make necessary improvements to harden infrastructure against climate change and provide financial incentives to people to move out of harm’s way. That could include burying power lines so they don’t spark fires during Santa Ana wind events; restoring coastal marshes and other barriers to act as a buffer for waves and protect our beachfront homes and businesses; and finding places to store excess runoff during rainstorms to replenish groundwater.
Specifically, how would you use the Senate office to help tackle the state’s housing deficit and rising unaffordability?
The state must do more to ensure cities plan for housing as required under state law. I will work with my colleagues to expand grants and tax credits for first-time homebuyers and bring millions of dollars in state funding back to our district to support construction of new housing. I am committed to cutting red tape and streamlining approval processes to ensure housing is built more quickly and cost-effectively. Incentives to build townhomes or apartments near existing and future transit stops, as well as convert struggling commercial properties to mixed-use developments will help concentrate development in areas that need it.
How do you plan to interact with your constituents and respond to their concerns?
I believe in showing up anywhere and everywhere so people can get to know their elected officials on a personal level. I will hold town hall meetings to share updates on my work in Sacramento, but constituents should also reach out to my office with events that they would like me to attend. I plan to have a robust social media presence on all major platforms to make information about the workings of the State Senate more accessible.
Think two years down the line, what do you hope will be three accomplishments that you’ll brag about in hopes of being re-elected?
I hope to make progress on my priorities of lowering costs, protecting the environment, and ensuring our civil liberties. I would love to brag about the growth of the cities of District 36, with new housing and public transit options to create more vibrant communities and lower rents. I also want to brag about investments in infrastructure to mitigate the impact of climate change, such as protections from coastal flooding, hardened utility equipment, and green energy projects. Lastly, I would tout the number of people California has helped to maintain access to reproductive health care.
Tony Strickland
Republican, Huntington Beach councilman/businessman
Campaign website: StricklandForSenate.com
Note: The candidate did not reply to LAist's questionnaire.
Tony Strickland is endorsed by the Republican party, among many others. He served multiple terms in the state Senate and Assembly before winning a seat on the Huntington Beach City Council in 2022. He ran for Congress and lost in 2012 and 2014.
Originally published February 13, 2025
Read the original article here.
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