One of the most closely watched races in the country is California’s Congressional District 13.
The Central Valley seat represents Madera, Merced and parts of Stockton.
Democratic Rep. Adam Gray won the seat by 187 votes in 2024. He faces challenger and former Republican mayor of Stockton, Kevin Lincoln.
Voters approved Proposition 50, which changed this district to include more registered Democratic voters.
Gray said he would have done a televised debate with Kevin Lincoln, while Lincoln did not respond to KCRA 3’s invitation for a debate.
Lincoln claimed they had done forums and debates. Gray said Lincoln had not accepted any invitations ahead of the general election.
Both sat down for lengthy interviews to talk about how they would represent the valley in Congress.
Cost of Living
To address the cost of living, Gray said he hopes Congress reconvenes before the end of the year to pass legislation he said would be key in addressing affordability, including the farm bill, the Speed Act and the Permit Act.
“These things are going to actually literally make it cheaper and easier to build energy, which lowers the cost of energy, which lowers the cost of doing business,” Gray said.
Gray also said he would push to undo action from the Trump administration including tariffs and vote to end the war in Iran.
Lincoln said if elected he would push to suspend the federal gas tax and cut regulations that are barriers for builders and farmers.
“It’s important because we need cheaper prices in the grocery store,” Lincoln said. “We want more people to experience the American dream as well.”
Gas prices and the War in Iran
On the war in Iran, Lincoln said “it was absolutely essential that we make sure Iran does not have a nuclear weapon.”
Lincoln served in the Marines. He said he supports a resolution to end the war and that it should be done as soon as possible.
“California, we’re dealing with some of the highest gas prices from the California gas tax, which is something that, you know, my opponent was the deciding vote for in 2017,” Lincoln said.
When asked repeatedly if he would vote to end the war in Iran in the beginning of the term, Lincoln repeatedly said he supported a resolution.
Gray stood by his vote to increase the gas tax to ensure roads and bridges are fixed and acknowledged that state policies also contribute to the cost of gas. He also pointed to the situation in Iran for the prices and said he would vote to immediately end the war.
“The President has never checked in with Congress, you know, to get its approval or move forward in a coordinated fashion with a plan and an end goal,” Gray said. “If there’s credible evidence and a credible plan that makes America safer, of course I would consider it. None of that has been brought to fruition. So, you know, we’ve got to get out of there.”
Immigration
Both candidates said they think Congress needs to pass immigration reform and that a new pathway to citizenship should be established.
“Our valley is very much a community of immigrants,” Gray said. “Of course, we should have a secure border. And at the same time, if somebody wants to come here and work hard and live the American dream, we should make that possible. The last president to tackle immigration reform in a meaningful way was Ronald Reagan.”
He also criticized the Trump administration’s use of ICE.
“Just recently we had, you know, ICE activity in Mendota, Madera, Ceres. I went down to Mendota, several hundred children not showing up to school because their parents are afraid to bring them to school. How is that making our country better, our community better?” Gray said.
Lincoln noted he is the grandson of a Mexican immigrant.
“We can have secure borders and then we can be very intentional about immigration reform as well,” Lincoln said.
When asked if he agrees with how the Trump administration is handling immigration enforcement, Lincoln said “I think everybody should be treated with dignity and respect.”
“And we need to do everything that we have to do to make sure that our communities are safe. Our streets are safe and that, we remove criminal illegal aliens. And we can do that, and then we can also focus on a worker program, that works, for the Valley,” Lincoln said. “Whether provide a pathway to employment, provide a pathway to residency and ultimately, a pathway to citizenship, if those people so desire. But there’s a process and Congress needs to take the lead on that as well.”
Data centers and artificial intelligence
Both candidates agreed that artificial intelligence requires guardrails. Gray indicated he would not support a ban, while Lincoln said he supports rules that don’t stifle innovation.
On data centers, both said the federal government has a role to play in the decision making and use of natural resources.
Wealth taxes
Both Gray and Lincoln plan to oppose the billionaire tax in California, known as Proposition 40 on this November’s ballot.
Lincoln said he would not support a national wealth tax.
When we posed the same question to Gray he said, “I would support, tax reform that ensures everybody pays their fair share, including the wealthiest among us.”
Voter ID
Lincoln said he plans to vote yes on California’s Proposition 39, which would require voter ID in order to cast a ballot in future elections. Gray said he plans to vote no.
Pushing back against the party
Gray repeatedly pointed to his record of being a moderate Democrat, which in some cases has involved voting with Republicans. Gray opposed some of the state’s major climate initiatives and sanctuary state laws when he was an Assemblyman. He said in Congress he will continue to be an independent voice.
When asked if Democrats regain control of the House, is there a proposal in the works that Gray would oppose. Gray said he doesn’t support extremism. When presented with examples of the abolishment of ICE or significantly cutting military spending, Gray said, “not likely.”
Lincoln is endorsed by President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson.
When asked if there are any issues or areas in which Lincoln does not agree with Republican leaders, he pointed to tariffs.
“We’re an AG community, and, retaliatory tariffs is an area that, I don’t agree,” Lincoln said. “I do know and understand that it hasn’t been a level playing field, for our farmers and our ranchers here in the Central Valley. Through trade, them being undercut from a pricing standpoint.”
“Our farmers and ranchers should not become collateral damage. By no, by no stretch of the imagination.”
Full interviews
Adam Gray
Kevin Lincoln
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.