Duarte, Gray set for rematch in race for key California House seat

First-term Republican Rep. John Duarte and Democratic challenger Adam Gray are advancing to the general election for California’s 13th Congressional District, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ.

The two are headed to a rematch of their midterm showdown, when Duarte narrowly won by just a couple hundred votes. 

Duarte and Gray were the only two certified candidates running for the district in the nonpartisan primary, and they’re advancing to the general under California’s top-two system, which moves the top two vote-getters forward, regardless of party affiliation.

Duarte, a former businessman and farmer, won the seat back in 2022 after Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was forced to run elsewhere due to redistricting. It was the first time a Republican had won the district in decades and was seen as key to Republicans taking control of the House. 

California’s 13th District includes Merced, Stanislaus and Fresno counties in the Central Valley. 

The race is one of several key California contests taking place on Super Tuesday that could help decide who wins the majority in the House in November. A high-profile Senate race is also underway — Lee, who previously served the 13th District, is notably now running for the Golden State’s open upper chamber seat.