Democrat Adam Gray won California’s 13th congressional race, defeating Republican incumbent John Duarte, according to the Associated Press.
California’s 13th Congressional District was the last seat to be called, with the district being one of the most competitive races in the Golden State. Republicans retained the majority with 220 votes, with Democrats trailing with 215 votes.
Gray, a former state legislator who represented California’s 21st Assembly District from 2012 to 2022, is considered a centrist Democrat who has focused on key concerns of Central Valley farmers, such as water shortages. He also campaigned on renewable energy solutions.
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Republican Rep. John Duarte, left, and Democrat Adam Gray. (Fresno Bee/Tribune News Service file via Getty Images)
In a statement on X, Gray wrote that the long-awaited results confirmed that residents were ready for “independent and responsible leadership.”
“I am honored to serve as the Congressman-elect for California’s 13th Congressional District. The final results confirm that this district is ready for independent, responsible leadership that always puts Valley residents ahead of partisan politics,” he said. -he writes. “But the work has only just begun.”
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“In Washington, I will work every day to provide the resources the Valley needs: clean water, better educational opportunities, stronger infrastructure, and more good-paying jobs,” he wrote. “And you can count on me to build bipartisan relationships to achieve these goals.”
A view of the California State Capitol building during the National Urban League of California’s Legislative Advocacy Day on March 13, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for the National Urban League)
The race has been characterized as one of the closest in the country. In 2022, Duarte narrowly beat Gray by just 564 votes.
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Duarte, a businessman and farmer, focused on issues such as inflation, crime and agricultural issues during his campaign.
