Former Rep. John Duarte (R–Modesto) does not plan to run for Congress again next year to win his seat back from Rep. Adam Gray (D–Merced).
Instead, Duarte is going to support Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez for the 13th District.
Flashback: After losing by less than 600 votes in 2022 to Duarte, Gray won the rematch by 187 votes, which was the closest Congressional race in the country, ousting Duarte after one term in office.
The big picture: The Ceres Courier reported that Duarte will not run for Congress again next year.
- Duarte told The Courier that he will support Lopez if the Ceres mayor launches a campaign to take on Gray.
Zoom in: An automated text went out to Republicans in the 13th district recently urging them to support Lopez.
- “Hope you saw my email. Adam Gray is the most vulnerable Democrat in America. Trump won CA-13, Cook calls it a toss-up, and the GOP is all-in to flip it,” the text reads. “I won’t run again, but Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez is the right candidate. He’s a conservative mayor, small business owner, and a football coach. Let’s get behind one candidate early – I’ll be in touch soon to connect you with Javier. – John Duarte”
What they’re saying: Duane Dichiara, Lopez’s political consultant with Axiom Strategies, told The Courier that Lopez is seriously considering the race.
- “This is the most vulnerable Democrat held seat in America,” Dichiara said. “Cook ranks it as a swing seat. He’s talking to people and kind of seeing what they think of it. He’ll take a few weeks to kind of make up his mind. I think he’s a strong candidate if he decides to run and I think the seat is incredibly vulnerable and that Adam Gray is incredibly vulnerable.”
