Adam GrayIncumbent
Candidate for U.S. Representative, Congressional District 13
Adam Gray is the Democratic incumbent for California's 13th Congressional District, a Central Valley seat. He was sworn in on January 3, 2025. He won the 2024 election by 182 votes. He was born September 23, 1977, in Merced, California. He grew up working in his family's dairy supply and feed store. He attended Merced College. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Before elected office, he was a legislative and district staffer. He worked for several California legislators. He interned in Rep. Gary Condit's office and later worked for state Assembly and Senate members. He served in the California State Assembly for District 21. His service ran from December 2012 to December 2022. He founded the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus there. He served on the agriculture and the revenue and taxation committees. He ran for the U.S. House in 2022 and lost by 564 votes. He then won in 2024. In Congress, he serves on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committees. He is whip of the Blue Dog Coalition. That is a group of centrist House Democrats. He is running for reelection on November 3, 2026. Born September 23, 1977. Home: Merced, California. Occupation: U.S. Representative for California's 13th Congressional District. Prior office: incumbent since January 3, 2025. Earlier: California State Assembly, District 21, 2012 to 2022.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports policies aimed at creating good-paying jobs and incentivizing investment in the Central Valley, including reducing regulatory barriers on infrastructure and geothermal energy projects to lower costs.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Focuses on lowering everyday costs (food, housing, health care, utilities) through bipartisan legislation, and has cosponsored trade reform to limit unilateral tariff authority he says raises consumer and farm costs.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Introduced legislation to reverse Medicaid cuts and extend ACA tax credits, and says constituents 'shouldn't have to choose between paying for healthcare or rent.'
Source → - Immigration & Border
Supports a mixed approach combining stricter enforcement (voted for the Laken Riley Act mandating detention of undocumented immigrants arrested for certain theft-related crimes) with pathways to legal status, including cosponsoring the American Dream and Promise Act (Dreamers) and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act for undocumented farm workers, while voting against a DHS appropriations bill he said lacked accountability reforms.
Source → - Education & Schools
Supports expanding transitional kindergarten and secured federal funding for school mental health programs and medical/vocational education at UC Merced.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
As a state legislator, opposed Propositions 47 and 57 (reduced sentencing/early release measures) and supported firearm theft penalties; as a member of Congress he has 'deep respect' for law enforcement and has introduced legislation on fentanyl awareness and law enforcement grants.
Source → - Criminal Justice & Courts
Opposed state-level bail reform, sentencing reduction, and early-release measures (e.g., Propositions 47 and 57) as a state legislator.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Prioritizes reducing regulatory barriers on geothermal energy development to lower costs, alongside expanding water storage infrastructure; has broken with parts of his own party on water and irrigation policy.
Source → - Foreign Policy & Defense
Voted to require congressional authorization before halting Iran-related military action without a formal declaration, opposes 'endless, politically-motivated wars,' and has introduced veteran-focused legislation including VA copay relief and disability compensation measures.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.