California Democrat Adam Gray to run for Congress in Merced-centered district
Assemblyman Adam Gray, a moderate Democrat who has represented the areas around Merced in the state Legislature since 2012, announced he would run for Congress in a district that covers his hometown and parts of Stanislaus County.
Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, had been expected to run for the seat in this year’s midterm election. That changed Monday when Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, announced he would not seek reelection for his district, which is centered on San Joaquin County.
Harder announced his intent to run for what was McNerney’s district, opening a path for Gray.
“For nearly a decade, I have had the distinct privilege of representing my hometown and the communities I love in the State Assembly. Together we fought to protect our water from the State Water Grab, increase access to health care for our underserved communities, and improve our quality of life by reducing crime and creating jobs,” Gray said in an announcement.
Gray will be running in California’s new 13th Congressional District, which stretches through parts of Modesto and Turlock past Coalinga and captures all of Merced County.
The district, formed through the once-a-decade legislative district redrawing, is expected to favor a Democrat in 2022, per election-tracking organizations. But it is still considered one of California’s closest races.
Gray, a moderate who joined forces last year with several lawmakers across parties from the state Legislature to form a caucus aimed at better collaboration across the aisle, made a point of bipartisanship in his announcement.
He is running with the endorsement of neighboring Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, who is running for election in the 16th district, along with the backing of dozens of other local and state lawmakers.
The Democratic Assemblyman faces Republican businessman and former teacher David Giglio and first-time candidate Angelina Sigala, a Democrat and infectious disease expert.
Gray, a native of Merced County, started his political career after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, by working in the office of then-Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza. Gray sits on several committees related to agriculture, taxes and health care, as well as the the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, which has helped in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gray’s goals include to bolster water storage and mitigate the effects of flooding and drought in the San Joaquin Valley, he said in his announcement, as well as addressing the region’s doctor shortage with additional medical schools, among other priorities.
“I will support efforts to clamp down on the property and violent crimes that have plagued our communities during the pandemic,” he said. “Importantly, I will always support good ideas regardless of if they come from Democrats, Republicans, or independents.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2022 at 11:58 AM with the headline "California Democrat Adam Gray to run for Congress in Merced-centered district."
