District 13: Gray and Lincoln Clash Over Costs in Tight Race

Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Gray and Republican Kevin Lincoln will face off on Nov. 3 for California's 13th Congressional District. Both candidates identify affordability as the primary concern for voters, yet they propose distinct solutions to the problem. The contest pits a former state assemblymember against the former mayor of Stockton in a district that now includes downtown Stockton following recent redistricting.

Gray secured his current seat two years ago in a race decided by just 187 votes out of 210,921 cast, defeating incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte. Lincoln, a former Marine, previously ran against Rep. Josh Harder in the 9th District in 2024. He originally planned to challenge Harder again but switched targets after Proposition 50 redrew the district boundaries. The new map places Lincoln in a district covering the agricultural heart of the San Joaquin Valley and extending south to the Coalinga area.

State records from 2023 indicate that 42.3% of registered voters in the old district boundaries were Democrats and 28.5% were Republicans. Federal Election Commission data as of June 30 shows a substantial financial disparity between the two campaigns. Gray has raised $4.2 million in contributions and loans, while Lincoln has raised $2.2 million. This $2 million gap highlights the resource difference in a closely watched race.

Lincoln holds the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who declared on Truth Social in December that Lincoln has his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Lincoln described himself as "honored and thankful" for the support and continues to feature it on his campaign website. While the endorsement aided Lincoln in the primary, Democratic strategists argue that high gas prices and aggressive immigration enforcement may hurt candidates aligned with the president's brand.

Lincoln has also produced a "MAGA Majority" video for the National Republican Congressional Committee. In the spot, he details his background as a Marine who protected the president, his time as a pastor, and his service as Stockton mayor. His LinkedIn profile notes that he served in the Marine Corps' White House Military Office from 2001 to 2005, where he guarded Marine One. He also served as executive pastor at Stockton's LifeSong Ministries through 2020.

The Republican candidate argues that his top priority is to "restore the American dream" by making home ownership more affordable. He accuses Gray of voting to raise taxes repeatedly. At a September rally, Lincoln stated his goals include lowering the cost of gas, food, and utilities, creating jobs, cutting taxes, and expanding healthcare access. He characterized his political style as someone who "knows how to grind, knows how to fight and how to win a tough election."

Gray, a native of Merced, has criticized Trump's deportation policies as "irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous." However, he prefers to distance himself from strict party labels. "What voters want here is an independent voice, not a Democratic voice, not a Republican voice," he told the Sacramento Bee. Gray serves as a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate lawmakers focused on cross-party collaboration.

On the issue of affordability, Gray points to his efforts to reverse Republican Medicaid cuts and limit the president's ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval. He also introduced a measure to reduce regulations related to thermal energy. Lincoln counters by noting that gas and diesel prices have surged since the start of the war with Iran. He further argues that Gray "increased the gas tax over 113% a gallon" while serving in the California Legislature.