TONY STRICKLAND, Huntington Beach councilmember  (OC Tribune photo).

Huntington Beach City Councilmember Tony Strickland has a large lead in early returns Tuesday night in the primary election to fill a vacant seat in the California State Senate representing the 36th District.

Strickland, a Republican who has previously served in the state Senate, has polled 58,189 votes, or 49.74 percent of the vote. In second is Democrat Jimmy Pham with 32,788 votes (28.05 percent).

In third is Democrat Julie Diep with 17,182 votes (14.70 percent) followed by Republican John Briscoe with 8,780 votes (7.51 percent).

If any candidate receives a simple majority – 50 percent plus one vote – he or she is elected. If not, the top two vote-getters will compete in the general election on April 29.

The 36th District seat is vacant because Janet Nguyen resigned upon being elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.