Democrat Adam Gray flipped his California seat in the last House of Representatives

Democrat Adam Gray won California’s 13th District, replacing Republican Rep. John Duarte in the final undecided race of the year in the U.S. House of Representatives. The results announced Tuesday mark a significant shift in the district’s representation.

Gray’s narrowly secured victory adds to Democrats’ efforts to regain ground in a difficult election cycle, with Republicans retaining a slim majority in the House.

What were the results in California’s 13th Congressional District?

Gray emerged victorious by fewer than 200 votes after election officials confirmed that all ballots had been counted. The close result mirrored the district’s 2022 race, where Duarte narrowly defeated Gray by just 564 votes in one of the closest contests in the country.

Both candidates expected another close race this year. Gray explained: “We always knew this race would be as close as it could be and we expect a photo finish again this year.”

After hearing the results, Duarte gave up the race and announced the Turlock Diary“That’s how it goes,” he said, while also hinting that he might consider a future campaign.

What are the results of the general elections?

With Gray’s victory, the number of seats in the House of Representatives for this election cycle is final. Republicans hold 220 seats and Democrats 215. Despite a difficult year nationwide, Democrats in California flipped three Republican-held seats, underscoring local changes in the state’s political landscape.

The 13th District, which spans five counties in California’s agricultural heartland, has a Democratic lead of about 11 points over registered Republicans.

Both candidates sought to appeal to the district’s diverse voters and emphasized their nonpartisan focus.

Gray focused on issues such as water and agricultural policy, infrastructure, renewable energy and education, while Duarte prioritized inflation, crime and water access for farmers.

How long do members of the House of Representatives serve?

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms, making each election cycle critical in maintaining or shifting party control. Duarte’s term in Congress was short after his narrow victory in 2022.

Looking back on his short time in office, Duarte described himself as a “citizen lawmaker” who “didn’t plan on staying in Congress forever.” While his future in politics remains uncertain, his defeat highlights the challenges Republicans face in holding competitive districts like the 13th.

Gray’s victory reflects evolving political dynamics in California’s Central Valley, where factors such as low turnout among working-class voters, including many Latinos, continue to influence election results. His victory underscores the ongoing struggle for influence in this key region.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press