Coastal GOP loses ground in OC races
Democrats hold a lead in a state senate race and threaten a city council seat in Huntington Beach as of Friday evening.
By Noor Phillips ·
Democrats led the 36th District California State Senate race by more than 4,000 votes as of 5 p.m. Friday, marking the third consecutive day ahead of incumbent Republican Senator Tony Strickland. Democrat Chris Duncan held 50.6% of the reported vote in a district where Republicans have historically maintained strong majorities.
The shift in voting patterns extends to local governance in Huntington Beach. While the party won the previous two city hall elections, Democratic candidates are positioned to reclaim one council seat. The party’s hold on the other three seats appears secure, with all three incumbents on track for reelection.
Mayor Casey McKeon and Councilman Pat Burns led the field with a margin of over 1,400 votes. Councilman Andrew Gruel and Democrat Ben Davis were projected to secure the final two remaining positions. Democrat Erin Spivey trailed Davis by 24 votes, placing her just outside the threshold for a council seat in the Friday count.
These results follow a trend of narrowing margins in coastal Orange County districts. The 72nd Assembly District race, involving Huntington Beach Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark, also showed tight competition among candidates, though specific vote totals were not finalized in the early reports.
The latest counts reflect a departure from the comfortable wins Republicans recorded in these specific coastal jurisdictions in prior cycles. The 36th District senate race and the Huntington Beach council race now show Democrat leads or near-ties, altering the local political balance as of the Friday afternoon tally.
