The final U.S. House race for 2024 has concluded, with Democrat Adam Gray narrowly defeating Republican incumbent John Duarte in California’s 13th Congressional District. The result flips the Central Valley seat back to Democratic control.
Gray, a former state legislator, won by fewer than 200 votes, according to election officials who finalized the count 26 days after polls closed. The district, which leans Democratic by an 11-point registration margin, has been trending blue as migration from urban areas reshapes the region’s political landscape.
Duarte, who won the seat in 2022 by just 564 votes, was considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the House. After conceding the race, Duarte told the Turlock Journal, “That’s how it goes,” while expressing openness to future political campaigns.
Gray emphasized the closeness of the race in his victory statement, saying, “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come.” He campaigned on local issues important to the Central Valley, such as water access and infrastructure, reflecting the district’s moderate Democratic base.
The district’s results highlight shifting political dynamics in California’s Central Valley, where affordability and suburban migration are driving demographic and partisan changes. This outcome secures another Democratic gain as both parties prepare for the 2024 election cycle.
