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Jimmy Panetta

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Santa Cruz County primary election results | The Pajaronian

The Pajaronian | Watsonville, CA · June 3, 2026

Across Santa Cruz County elections for state and federal representation Tuesday night, there are few surprises, and a few expected results.

As of Thursday afternoon, incumbent Rep. Jimmy Panetta led the 19th Congressional District race with 58.5% of the vote. Republican Peter Coe Verbica had 22.7%, while Sean Dougherty, a former Green Party candidate running as a Democrat, had 9.3%.

Incumbent Rep. Zoe Lofgren led the 18th Congressional District race with 52.9% of the vote. Republican Shane Lewis had 32.5%, while Democratic challenger Luis Arreguín had 11.9%.

In the 28th Assembly District, incumbent Democrat Gail Pellerin led with 67.7% of the vote. A similar trend emerged in the 29th Assembly District, where incumbent Democrat Robert Rivas led with 63.4%.

In the crowded race for governor, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton traded the lead, each hovering around 26% in early returns. By Thursday, those numbers had shifted, with Hilton holding 27.4% and Becerra at 25.7%.