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.

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.

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.

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