Gray Leads Lincoln by $2 Million in Redrawn California District 13 Race

California’s 13th Congressional District is now a competitive battleground for voters who prioritize cost of living over party loyalty. On Nov. 3, residents will choose between Democratic Rep. Adam Gray and Republican Kevin Lincoln, the former mayor of Stockton.

The race centers on two experienced politicians with different approaches to economic pressure. Gray won the seat two years ago by a margin of just 187 votes. He defeated Republican Rep. John Duarte in a contest that drew 210,921 ballots. That narrow victory set the stage for the current rematch.

Lincoln, a former Marine and pastor, initially planned to challenge Rep. Josh Harder in the 9th District. He switched his bid to the 13th after Proposition 50 redrew the district lines. The new map covers the agricultural heart of the San Joaquin Valley and extends south along Interstate 5 toward Coalinga. It now includes downtown Stockton, a change that alters the political demographics of the area.

State records from 2023 show the district registered 42.3% of voters as Democrats and 28.5% as Republicans. Financial records from the Federal Election Commission provide a clear advantage for the incumbent. As of June 30, Gray had raised $4.2 million in contributions and loans. Lincoln had $2.2 million in his war chest.

Lincoln holds the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who declared his support on Truth Social in December. The former mayor calls himself a candidate who knows how to fight a tough election. He cites his service in the White House Military Office and his work as an executive pastor at LifeSong Ministries in Stockton. His platform focuses on lowering costs for gas, food, and utilities while expanding healthcare access.

Gray, a native of Merced and a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, positions himself as an independent voice. He has criticized Trump’s deportation policies as dangerous and has worked to limit presidential tariff powers. Lincoln counters that Gray increased the state gas tax by 113% while serving in the California Legislature. Both candidates agree that affordability is the main concern for voters in the valley.

The district’s shift includes new agricultural communities and parts of the San Joaquin Valley. Lincoln’s campaign highlights his local name recognition in Stockton. Gray relies on his experience as a former state assemblymember and his record of voting against Republican tax increases. The election will test whether local familiarity or national endorsements carry more weight in the newly drawn boundaries.