Valley Politics: Two Veterans Clash in Redrawn District 13

The San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural heartland will decide the fate of California’s 13th Congressional District on November 3. The contest pits incumbent Democratic Representative Adam Gray against Republican challenger Kevin Lincoln, a former mayor of Stockton. Both candidates agree that affordability is the central issue for voters in the newly drawn district.

Gray holds a substantial financial advantage in the race. Federal Election Commission data from June 30 shows Gray has raised $4.2 million in contributions and loans. Lincoln has collected $2.2 million. The gap reflects the different political bases of the two men. Lincoln is a well-known local figure in Stockton, while Gray, a former state assemblymember, is less familiar to residents even as his district now includes downtown Stockton.

The district boundaries changed under Proposition 50. The new map covers the core of the agricultural region and extends south along Interstate 5 to the Coalinga area. It skirts Fresno. Before redistricting, state records from 2023 indicated 42.3% of voters were registered Democrats and 28.5% were Republicans. Gray won the seat two years ago with a margin of 187 votes out of 210,921 cast, defeating Republican John Duarte.

Lincoln brings national attention to the campaign. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in December that Lincoln has his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Lincoln called the support "honored and thankful" and continues to feature the endorsement on his website. He also recorded a video for the National Republican Congressional Committee. In the clip, he highlights his time as mayor, his service in the Marine Corps, and his role as a pastor. According to his LinkedIn profile, he guarded Marine One from 2001 to 2005 and served as executive pastor at LifeSong Ministries until 2020.

Lincoln frames his campaign around restoring the American dream through affordable homeownership. At a September rally, he pledged to lower the cost of gas, food, and utilities. He also promised to create jobs, cut taxes, and expand healthcare access. He accused Gray of voting to raise taxes repeatedly. "I knows how to grind, knows how to fight and how to win a tough election," Lincoln said.

Gray, a Merced native, positions himself as an independent voice in Congress. He serves as a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate lawmakers. He told the Sacramento Bee that voters want an independent perspective rather than a strict party line. He has criticized Trump’s deportation policies as "irresponsible, reckless, dangerous." On the economy, Gray points to his work reversing Medicaid cuts and limiting tariff authority. He also introduced a measure to reduce regulations on thermal energy.

The candidates disagree on the cause of high fuel prices. Gray cites soaring gasoline and diesel costs since the start of the war with Iran. Lincoln counters that Gray increased the state gas tax by 113% per gallon during his time in the California Legislature. Democrats in the district expect high gas prices and aggressive immigration raids to hurt Lincoln, despite his presidential backing. The final vote count will determine which strategy resonates with Valley voters.