Adam Gray, a Democrat, has flipped California’s 13th Congressional District, unseating Republican Rep. John Duarte in one of the nation’s closest House races. After weeks of counting, the Associated Press declared Gray the winner by fewer than 200 votes.
This marks the second consecutive contest between Gray and Duarte, with both races decided by slim margins. In 2022, Duarte edged out Gray by less than 600 votes. This year, Gray reversed the outcome in a contest he predicted would end in a “photo finish.”
Duarte conceded Tuesday night, expressing no regrets about his brief tenure. “I’m a citizen legislator,” he said, adding that serving in Congress was never his long-term plan.
Gray’s platform focused on renewable energy and addressing water shortages, critical issues for farmers in California’s Central Valley. Duarte similarly emphasized agricultural concerns but centered his campaign on broader topics like inflation and crime.
In a statement posted to X, Gray highlighted his commitment to bipartisan governance and tackling local issues. “The work has just begun,” he wrote, vowing to deliver clean water, better schools, infrastructure improvements, and good-paying jobs for the region.
Gray’s victory follows additional Democratic gains in California, where Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and Michelle Steel (R-CA) also lost their seats. Steel’s race, like Gray’s, took weeks to finalize.
The victory narrows Republicans’ House majority to five seats, though this margin may change as some GOP members prepare to join President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
