Election officials confirmed Tuesday night that Adam Gray of Merced has defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. John Duarte (R-Modesto) in the hotly-contested race for California’s 13th Congressional District.
Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting all ballots had been counted. District 13 includes all of Merced County, as well as parts of Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Madera and Fresno counties.
“I’m honored to become the Congressman-elect for California’s 13th Congressional District,” Gray said after the announcement. “The final results confirm this district is ready for independent and accountable leadership that always puts the valley’s people ahead of partisan politics.
“But the work has just begun. In Washington, I’ll work everyday to deliver the resources that the valley needs: clean water, better educational opportunities, stronger infrastructure, and more good-paying jobs. And you can count on me to build bipartisan relationships to accomplish these goals.
“I am deeply grateful to all those who volunteered their time, chipped in to help our campaign, or took a moment out of their busy day to learn about our race. And I am especially thankful for my campaign team, my friends, and my family.
“Now, let’s get to work.”
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene released the following statement:
“Congratulations to Adam Gray – a no-nonsense valley problem solver who’s ready to bring his track record of service and bipartisanship to the halls of Congress. Adam is a native son of the Valley – born and raised in Merced – so he understands firsthand the issues that families in his district care about most. The DCCC is proud to have played a role in flipping this seat, and we’re excited to welcome Adam to Congress to fight the good fight for his constituents and their needs.”
Gray’s win means Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle, with Democrats holding 215 seats.
As of the Times press deadline this week, there was no official reaction from Congressman Duarte or his campaign team. It’s not clear if they will contest the result or request a recount.