If Strickland can stay above the 50% plus one threshold, he’ll win the seat outright without needing to go to an April runoff.

Tony Strickland has leaped out to the lead in California’s state Senate District 36 special election. Strickland, a Republican, largely maintained a lead he had Tuesday night over Democrats Jimmy Pham and Julie Diep, as well as fellow Republican John Briscoe, in the most recent results released Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Republican farmer and businessman, Stan Ellis, is declaring victory in the special election for State Assembly District 32, which spans parts of Tulare and Kern counties.

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.

People in Tulare and Kern Counties will be heading to the polls Tuesday to vote in the District 32 special primary election.

B Republican Stan Ellis appeared to be on his way to serving as the next member of the Assembly for the 32nd District after taking more than 50% of the