Tom Steyer beat Xavier Becerra in more white, college-educated areas in the 2026 California primary, but the tables turned in Latino-majority neighborhoods, according to Lookout’s analysis of Santa Cruz County’s unofficial results and U.S. Census Bureau data.

Latino supporters helped deliver Becerra, a former health secretary under President Joe Biden, a spot alongside Republican candidate Steve Hilton in November. In California’s open primary, the top two vote-getters face off in the general election regardless of party.

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Dieter Holger is a journalist who uses data to explain local issues and how national and statewide policies affect communities like Santa Cruz. His reporting has appeared in dozens of publications and...