Newsletter: Essential Politics: Delegate counts get even more interesting

I’m Christina Bellantoni, and if one thing is clear after votes were cast on Western Tuesday, it’s that no one is giving up.

Caucus victories in Utah and Idaho and people standing in line in Arizona many hours after polls had closed bolstered Sen. Bernie Sanders’ supporters, who see the next contests as favoring their candidate. But Hillary Clinton, after her large Arizona win, continued to turn her attention to Donald Trump and the general election.

Speaking Tuesday night in Washington state, which holds caucuses Saturday, Clinton said some of the Republican candidates are “literally inciting bigotry and violence.” She said, especially in light of the terror in Brussels, that her rivals’ stances on national security are “dangerous.”

Appearing in San Diego with an eye on California’s June 7 primary, Sanders told voters directly he aims to win the Golden State.

“In early June, California, the largest state in our nation, will have a major role to play in taking this country forward,” he said. “If there is a large voter turnout, we will win California.”

After his caucus wins, Sanders was even more pointed as he thanked supporters for large margins and turning out in droves.

“The impressive numbers of young people and working-class people who participated in the process are exactly what the political revolution is all about,” he said in a statement. “These decisive victories in Idaho and Utah give me confidence that we will continue to win major victories in the coming contests.”

Still, the numbers are on Clinton’s side. She has 1,675 delegates when you include the state officials and local party activists known as superdelegates.

Perhaps this sign from a Clinton supporter in Seattle says it all.

As for the Republicans, both Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz took home large wins — but Trump’s delegate lead is growing ever-larger.

Don’t worry about trying to do the math yourself. Our data team broke down all of the results from the night and is tracking each and every delegate.

And here are detailed results from Arizona, Idaho and Utah.

GOLDEN STATE STUMPING

The battle for comes to California today, with Sanders planning an evening event at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and Clinton giving a national security speech at Stanford University, where her daughter graduated in 2001.

Our team will be all over both events, so keep an eye on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics.

MINIMUM WAGE SHOWDOWN

The odds of an increase to California’s $10-an-hour statewide minimum wage went up considerably late Tuesday afternoon. State elections officials confirmed that an initiative filed by a healthcare workers union gathered more than enough signatures to be placed on the Nov. 8 statewide ballot.

So what happens next?

Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers reports that lawmakers hope to negotiate a truce on the issue and have the initiative withdrawn from the ballot, but it won’t be easy. Labor and business groups are sharply divided, and all eyes are on Gov. Jerry Brown to strike the deal.

TYRA BANKS HOSTING SENATE FUNDRAISER

Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris will appear at the home of Matt and Yasmine Johnson on April 10 for a Senate campaign fundraiser. The maximum donation is $2,700. Among the other names on the invitation: Tyra Banks, William Briggs, Rebecca andTroy Carter, Antoine Fuqua, Maria and Jeff Harleston, Heidi Hertel and Greg Hodes, Mai and James Lassiter, and Darrell Miller and Craig Susser.

Craig’s Restaurant is doing the catering for the event.

WHY XAVIER BECERRA WAS HANGING OUT WITH DEREK JETER

President Obama wasn’t the only one in Cuba this week.

Sarah Wire caught up with the seven members of the California congressional delegation who also took the trip.

TODAY’S ESSENTIALS

— The conversation on the Republican side of the race somehow veered to talk about the candidates’ wives Tuesday. If you missed it, Lisa Mascaro explained earlier this year how Heidi Cruz is her husband’s not-so-secret weapon.

— Mission accomplished? Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s top homelessness advisor leaves his post after 18 months, saying he made a “major impact.”

— The White House water summit focused on California.

— A jury Tuesday acquitted a longtime Los Angeles lobbyist and former L.A. City Council aide accused of corruption, rejecting charges that he and his wife participated in a scheme to help an elected water board member siphon thousands of dollars in public money for personal use.

— Sarah Palin is about to be a judge — on a reality television show.

LOGISTICS

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