Update: In tight congressional contest, Duarte ahead overall, Gray leads in Stanislaus
In a hotly contested rematch for California’s 13th Congressional District seat, Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte was slightly ahead of challenger Adam Gray in early, unofficial results Wednesday morning from the California Secretary of State’s Office. In an early-morning update by the Stanislaus Elections Office, Gray held a lead among county voters.
A Stanislaus County update posted at 1:17 a.m. Wednesday showed Gray leading in the count of mail-in ballots but trailing in the vote-center count. Combined, Gray had 52.2% (16,944 votes) to Duarte’s 47.8% (15,500).
Results posted by the California Secretary of State’s office at 9:42 a.m. Wednesday, with 100% of precincts partially reporting, showed Duarte slightly ahead, with 51.4% (56,785 votes) to Gray’s 48.6% (53,596).
After polls closed Tuesday, Gray released a statement: “The San Joaquin Valley is one of the hardest working places in the world with some of the hardest working people. Valley families deserve a representative in Congress who will work as hard as they do. While this race is still too early to call, I believe that once every ballot is counted, voters will have rejected John Duarte’s partisan gridlock in favor of accountable and independent leadership.
“Every vote matters. I’m grateful for the hardworking folks counting ballots throughout the state tonight. We feel confident about where we stand and we’ll continue to watch the results roll in. I look forward to representing my neighbors and continuing my work for the Valley.”
In a text to The Bee on Wednesday afternoon, Duarte said, “I am encouraged by the early vote returns. Tonight, Valley families sent a message that we are tired of high food and gas prices.”
District 13 includes parts of Fresno, Madera and Merced counties, as well as all or parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
In the contest for U.S. House District 5 between Rep. Tom McClintock and challenger Mike Barkley, the incumbent had a commanding lead in both Stanislaus County and state results.
The early-morning update from the Stanislaus County Elections Office showed McClintock with 60.5% of the vote (46,131 votes), Barkley with 39.5% (30,089). Early results posted by the California Secretary of State’s office, with 100% of precincts partially reporting, showed the incumbent with 62.2% of the vote, Barkley with 37.8%.
District 5 covers parts of Fresno and Madera counties, as well as all or part of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties.
In November 2022, Duarte defeated former Assemblyman Gray by fewer than 600 votes, and again it’s been one of the closest, and closely watched, House races.
Gray has said that Congress isn’t working hard enough on San Joaquin Valley issues, including water infrastructure and energy. Duarte serves on House committees concerning agriculture, natural resources and transportation and infrastructure. He’s said energy costs are among his district’s toughest challenges.
Barkley ran against McClintock in the November 2022 election and lost in the solidly Republican 5th District.
Answering a candidate survey from McClatchy, McClintock said that in Congress, he “fought to stop earmarks, unauthorized appropriations, subsidies to failing businesses, and grants that rob one community’s taxes to pay for projects for another.”
He also said, “I strongly support rigorous enforcement of court-ordered deportations, completion of the border wall and an end to sanctuary policies that protect criminal illegal aliens.”
Barkley has said his priorities include restore housing availability and reducing housing costs “by reversing the damage done by Congress to the housing market over the past 50 years.” Aside from cost of living and immigration/border issues, he also said flooding and drought are among the greatest issues facing Californians.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:49 PM.
