As the November election approaches, the race to represent California's 13th congressional district is intensifying, capturing the attention of many across the state. The contest features Republican incumbent John Duarte facing off against Democrat Adam Gray, a former California Assembly member. Adam Gray, who has positioned himself as a candidate committed to bipartisanship, shared insights into his campaign and vision during an interview with KCRA 3.

Adam Gray emphasizes his qualifications by highlighting his role in founding the California Problem Solvers Caucus and chairing the moderate Democrats, demonstrating his ability to work across party lines. He argues that his collaborative approach is essential in a political climate where bipartisan efforts are rare. Reflecting on his previous campaign against Duarte, Gray remarked on the narrow margin of his loss, noting the critical role that low voter turnout played. With just 564 votes separating the candidates, it was one of the closest races in the nation, with results not finalized until December.

Now, in the final stretch of his campaign, Gray is focusing heavily on grassroots efforts, illustrating this by sharing the extensive door-to-door canvassing his team has undertaken. He describes the response as overwhelmingly supportive, a testament to the community's desire for change and engagement. Gray also stresses the importance of voting, especially given the historically low turnout in the previous election, which left significant impacts on representation and policy outcomes.

Amid the election fervor, negative advertisements have surfaced, targeting both Gray and Duarte. Gray maintains that his campaign is focused on showcasing his accomplishments and bipartisan collaboration rather than engaging in adversarial tactics. He accuses his opponents of disseminating misinformation to mislead voters but remains steadfast in his commitment to real work on key issues like healthcare and education.

Ultimately, Gray's message to valley voters is clear: he pledges to forge meaningful partnerships across the aisle to address the community's needs effectively if elected. With his academic role at the University of California, Merced, Gray anticipates continuing his engagement with the community, even spending election night on campus, underscoring his deep roots and dedication to the district. As the battle for control in the House of Representatives heats up, it remains to be seen how Gray's approach and message will resonate with voters and shape the outcome in this closely watched race.