Watch: 13th Congressional District Candidates Debate

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The Modesto Bee, The Fresno Bee and The Merced Sun-Star hosted a debate Sept. 26, featuring two candidates hoping to represent the counties that make up the 13th Congressional District.

The debate gave voters the opportunity to hear directly from California State Assemblyman Adam Gray and John Duarte, a Central Valley farmer and businessman.

It was held at Nine3One, located at 931 10th St. in Modesto.

The debate was moderated by Garth Stapley of The Modesto Bee’s Garth Stapley and Joseph Kieta of The Fresno Bee and Merced Sun-Star and coordinated by The Modesto Bee’s Maria Figueroa.

Adam Gray has represented Merced and Stanislaus counties in the California Assembly since 2012.

John Duarte owns Duarte Nursery, a wholesale company in Hughson.

Garth Stapley is The Modesto Bee’s Opinions page editor. Before this assignment, he worked 25 years as a Bee reporter, covering local government agencies and the high-profile murder case of Scott and Laci Peterson.

Joseph Kieta has served as editor of The Fresno Bee and the Merced Sun-Star since February 2018.

Maria Figueroa is The Modesto Bee’s research and information specialist and is a member of the newspaper’s editorial board.

This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 12:59 PM.