Gray Holds $4.2 Million Fund Advantage in 13th District

Federal Election Commission data released on June 30 places U.S. Rep. Adam Gray $2 million ahead of challenger Kevin Lincoln in the race for California's 13th Congressional District. Gray has secured $4.2 million in contributions and loans, while Lincoln has raised $2.2 million.

The financial gap exists despite Lincoln holding the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The president wrote on Truth Social in December that Lincoln has his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Lincoln described the support as a source of pride and continues to feature it on his campaign website. Democrats argue that high gas prices and aggressive immigration enforcement will hurt candidates associated with the White House, while Republicans point to Lincoln's primary performance.

The district's political composition remains closely balanced. State records from 2023 indicate that 42.3% of voters in the area are registered Democrats and 28.5% are registered Republicans. The district was redrawn under Proposition 50. It now encompasses the agricultural heart of the San Joaquin Valley and extends south along Interstate 5 to the Coalinga area, bypassing Fresno. This new map includes downtown Stockton, a change that allows Lincoln to challenge Gray directly.

Lincoln entered this contest after a failed bid in 2024 against Rep. Josh Harder in the 9th District. He initially planned a rematch with Harder but switched to the 13th District following the redistricting process. Lincoln, a former Marine and mayor of Stockton, positions himself as a fighter. At a rally in September, he stated that he "knows how to grind, knows how to fight and how to win a tough election." He cited his service in the Marine Corps' White House Military Office from 2001 to 2005, where he guarded Marine One, and his role as executive pastor at LifeSong Ministries through 2020.

The two candidates agree that affordability is the central issue but disagree on the solution. Lincoln aims to "restore the American dream" by making home ownership more accessible. He plans to lower the cost of gas, food, and utilities, create jobs, cut taxes, and expand healthcare access. He accuses Gray of voting to raise taxes during his time in the California Legislature. Specifically, Lincoln claims Gray increased the gas tax by 113% per gallon while serving in state office.

Gray, a Merced native and former state assemblymember, defends his record by pointing to his work to reverse Republican Medicaid cuts. He also attempted to limit the president's ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval. Recently, he introduced a measure to reduce regulations surrounding thermal energy. Gray acknowledges that soaring gasoline and diesel prices since the start of the war with Iran have complicated the economic narrative.

Gray seeks to position himself as a moderate alternative. He serves as a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of lawmakers seeking bipartisan common ground. He recently described Trump's deportation policies as "irresponsible, reckless, dangerous." However, he avoids strict party labels. "What voters want here is an independent voice, not a Democratic voice, not a Republican voice," Gray told the Sacramento Bee.

Gray won his initial seat two years ago by a margin of 187 votes. He defeated Republican Rep. John Duarte in a race that saw 210,921 ballots cast. Lincoln, who may be less familiar to residents outside Stockton, is now leveraging his local name recognition to contest the seat. Voters will decide between the two men on Nov. 3.