Stan Ellis declaring victory in special election for California Assembly District 32

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Republican farmer and businessman, Stan Ellis, is declaring victory in the special election for State Assembly District 32, which spans parts of Tulare and Kern counties.

Early numbers from the Secretary of State show Ellis is in the lead with more than 63 percent.

Democratic educator, Chris Cruz-Boone, follows behind at about 29 percent.

For a candidate to win this election outright, they need to receive more than 50 percent of the vote once the election is certified.

"Extraordinarily honored, and I want to thank all those constituents and the elected officials that supported me and endorsed me," said Ellis in response to his projected win.

The Assembly 32 seat was left vacant by Vince Fong after he was elected U.S. representative for California's 20th congressional district following the resignation of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Kern County Registrar of Voters Aimee Espinoza says there are still some votes left to count.

"Until I know exactly how many of those are. We're not going to know. But that's why everyone came in this morning and they were ready to go," said Espinoza.

Other candidates on the ballot included Republican, Holli Willibey, a clinical social worker and school board member.

William Brown Jr., a registered Libertarian, and Cruz-Boone trailed Ellis in second place.

Ellis credits the people who turned out to vote for him in his projected win.

He also credited a long list of delegates who have supported him throughout his campaign.

"From Congressman Vince Fong, Senator Shannon Grove, Donnie Youngblood, Cynthia Zimmer, our supervisors, county supervisors, the mayor," said Ellis.

"They know that I'm a working guy, and they got behind me pretty quickly. It didn't. It didn't take much, but for me, it's a real honor."

Ellis hopes to focus on a scientific approach to water storage and increase public safety.

"I have some grandchildren and it's not about me anymore it's about them and my constituents," said Ellis.

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