Democrat · California's 13th District · 2026
Adam Gray
Gray grew up working in his family's dairy supply and feed store in Merced.
Biography
Adam Gray grew up working in his family's dairy supply and feed store in Merced, where his family has lived for generations.1 He still lives there, helps lead a small business and teaches a course about California's legislature at UC Merced.1 His professional background also includes work as a legislative staffer.2
He earned a bachelor's degree at UC Santa Barbara in 2000.2 Gray represented Merced and Stanislaus counties in the state Assembly from 2012 to 2022.2 His campaign points to state funding for Merced medical education and water infrastructure as highlights of that work.1 He won his congressional seat in 2024, defeating John Duarte by 187 votes.3
In the House, Gray serves on Agriculture and Natural Resources and is whip of the Blue Dog Coalition.1 His legislative work addresses water storage and permitting, rural telehealth, medical education and access to health insurance.4
Gray supports restoring Medicaid funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies, limiting unilateral presidential tariffs and providing legal status opportunities for agricultural workers.4 He also wants more reliable water deliveries and fewer delays for infrastructure projects.4 Republican former Stockton mayor Kevin Lincoln is challenging him in November in a district whose new boundaries include parts of Stockton.3
Record and controversies
Business interests and road funding criticism
CalMatters reported Republican criticism of Gray's stake in his cousin's construction firm, which built a hotel near a road project he helped fund as a state legislator in 2017.5 The hotel's private developer identified the firm as one of its local contractors.6 Gray's 2025 annual House disclosure reports a purchase of an interest in the firm on January 1, 2025 and profit distributions of $50,001 to $100,000.7 The Free Beacon said his campaign had not responded to its request for comment for its September 17, 2026 report.8 No official finding of improper benefit was verified in this review.