Kern County businessman Stan Ellis has declared victory in the race for the 32nd Assembly District seat.

Ellis captured the seat with 63% of the vote to surpass the 50% plus one needed to to avoid a runoff.

Ellis says he plans to make oil and gas a priority for his Central Valley constituents.

The 32nd Assembly District seat was formerly occupied by Republican Congressman Vince Fong who was elected to Congress in May.

The District represents much of Kern and Tulare counties including large portions of Bakersfield, Taft, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella and Visalia.