Democrats press Republicans in tight coastal Orange County races

Democrat Chris Duncan led Republican incumbent Tony Strickland in California’s 36th Senate District on Friday as incomplete returns showed close contests along coastal Orange County. In Huntington Beach, Democrats were on track to gain one City Council seat, according to Voice of OC.

The contests could shift local and state representation in coastal communities where Republicans have historically won easily, Voice of OC reported. Republicans had prevailed in the previous two Huntington Beach city hall elections, but Friday’s returns were not final.

Duncan held 50.6% of the vote as of 5 p.m. Friday, according to Voice of OC. His advantage over Strickland had grown to more than 4,000 votes.

The Democrat had stayed ahead for three consecutive days, the publication reported. The expanding margin still represented an unfinished count rather than a final result.

In Huntington Beach, Mayor Casey McKeon drew the most votes in the council contest. McKeon and Councilman Pat Burns each led other challengers by more than 1,400 votes, according to Voice of OC.

Councilman Andrew Gruel and Democratic challenger Ben Davis were positioned to claim the remaining two seats. Those standings put three incumbent Republican council members on track for reelection alongside Davis.

Democrat Erin Spivey remained close behind Davis, trailing him by 24 votes Friday evening, Voice of OC reported. That narrow gap left the race for a council seat unresolved.

The remaining count will determine whether Duncan holds his Senate lead and which Democrat secures a Huntington Beach council seat. Voice of OC’s Friday report described candidates’ positions in ongoing tabulation, not confirmed winners.