Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland declared victory Monday in the special election race for California’s 36th State Senate District, promising to counter the policies of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the legislature once he joins lawmakers in Sacramento.

The Republican maintains a big lead in the special election, with the results to be certified later this week.

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.

Huntington Beach City Councilman Tony Strickland appeared Wednesday to be headed for a victory in the 36th Senate District special election without the need of a runoff with 51.1% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

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