MERCED COUNTY, Calif — This November marks a rematch of California’s closest congressional race of 2022, where Republican John Duarte defeated Adam Gray by less than half a percent in the newly redrawn District 13.
This year, political analysts consider it one of the nine closest races that will help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Voters in District 13 have a choice between two candidates for the congressional seat, and once again, those choices are either Duarte or Gray.
Incumbent and Republican John Duarte is a fourth-generation farmer and businessman in the Valley. ABC10 asked each candidate for their top priorities.
“Lower gas prices, lower grocery prices, drill American oil, get affordability back, get water on the farms so we have opportunity here in the valley,” Duarte said.
Democrat Adam Gray, a Merced native, previously held a seat in the California State Assembly for 10 years.
“Water, education, healthcare, and I want to see Congress back to mainstream American stuff,” Gray said.
In a predominantly agricultural district, Duarte wants to continue with legislation allowing farmers to store groundwater.
“Do some canal extensions and interconnects that would really create a lot of flexibility and allow us to use water where it's critical that's already getting dumped out to the ocean,” Duarte said.
Gray would like to see additional investments from the federal government.
“Invest in infrastructure. We need to invest in floodplains, above ground storage, below ground storage,” Gray said.
Each candidates has a unique message they want to share with voters.
“I am a pro-choice Republican. I support choice, I support women’s rights, I’ve got a voting record that shows it. I am voted by the Heritage Foundation to be the most moderate Republican nationwide,” Duarte said.
The organization Planned Parenthood said Duarte votes 21% of the time to support issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, which is a higher score than many of his California Republican colleagues.
Duarte said he's also proud of his endorsement from the Central Valley Leadership Roundtable who have never endorsed a Republican before.
As for Gray, he’s highlighting his endorsements from Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse and Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira, who identified themselves as Republicans in a campaign ad.
“I’m one of the only congressional candidates in the country endorsed by elected Republicans, and I’m proud of that. I have broad support from every corner of the community. That’s what we need to do, work together, and I think the American people are tired of all the fighting,” Gray said.
When it comes to endorsing a president, Duarte said he will be following his party and endorsing former President Donald Trump. Gray said he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Adam Gray and John Duarte meet for California 13th Congressional District debate
