Democrat Adam Gray Wins Final Congressional Race In California

Nearly a month after Election Day, Democrat Adam Gray has secured victory in California’s 13th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Rep. John Duarte (R-CA) by fewer than 200 votes. The Associated Press called the race Tuesday, making it the last congressional contest decided this election cycle.

This marks the second consecutive tight race between Gray and Duarte. In 2022, Duarte narrowly defeated Gray by under 600 votes. This year’s contest was similarly close, as anticipated by both campaigns. “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come,” Gray said in November.

Duarte conceded late Tuesday night, acknowledging the razor-thin margin. “That’s how it goes,” he remarked, describing his role as a “citizen legislator” and stating he had not intended to serve in Congress indefinitely.

Gray, a centrist Democrat, campaigned on issues important to California’s Central Valley, including renewable energy and solutions to water shortages affecting the region’s agriculture. Duarte also focused on agrarian issues but prioritized crime and inflation as part of his platform.

Gray celebrated the victory with a statement on X, emphasizing his commitment to addressing local concerns and promising bipartisan collaboration. “The final results confirm this district is ready for independent and accountable leadership,” he wrote. He pledged to deliver resources for clean water, better schools, stronger infrastructure, and jobs in the Valley.

The outcome adds to a challenging year for California Republicans, with Democrats also unseating Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and Michelle Steel (R-CA). Steel’s race took weeks to finalize, with her defeat announced on November 27.

Gray’s win leaves Republicans with a slim five-seat majority in the House. However, this balance may shift as some members are expected to join President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet in the coming weeks.