President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw as the Democratic presidential nominee and pass the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris has created a buzz within the party, one that has apparently trickled down to Adam Gray’s congressional campaign against Rep. John Duarte (R-Modesto).
“It’s an exciting time,” said Gray, a Democrat and former Assemblyman from Merced. “There’s a lot of optimism.”
Harris, who has yet to name a running mate, raised a reported $81 million dollars in the first 24 hours after Biden’s July 21 exit, and topped $100 million several hours later.
According to Federal Election Commission data, Gray’s campaign has reported raising $2.6 million through the second quarter of 2024, while Duarte reported raising about $3.1 million — though each campaign currently has less cash on hand.
However, in just five days after Biden’s exit, Gray said the campaign took in about $100,000.
“This last week has been an aggressive turn,” said Gray, who lost to Duarte in 2022 by just 564 votes, the second closest race in the nation. “People are feeling inspired and are coming out of the woodwork to support our campaign.”
The Cook Political Report has listed the Gray-Duarte contest as a toss-up since the race began.
KVPR reporter Elizabeth Arakelian spoke with Blake Zante, executive director of the nonpartisan Maddy Institute at Fresno State, about the impact Harris could have on Central Valley congressional races.
“The presidential ticket really drives turnout, and I think we’ve seen that in presidential elections historically,” said Zante. “Looking at the 13th congressional district, which is held currently by Congressman Duarte, who is facing former Assemblymember Adam Gray, and also Congressman (David) Valladao, who facing former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, those are two of the most expensive races in the country. They’re Democrat-leaning seats held by Republican incumbents. It’s really a unique dynamic and I think that we’ve seen those districts tend to be more moderate. I don’t know if (Harris) will have a strong impact. That’s yet to be seen. But I know that those conversations are happening.”
Gray said he doesn’t know if Harris will visit Central California in the coming weeks to stump for him, but he knows what he’d tell her if she does.
“I’d take her to UC Merced and tell her that we need help building up our medical school,” said Gray, who was instrumental in getting the university’s $300 million medical education program off the ground. “And I’d show her our flood-plain projects and reservoirs and tell that we need the federal government to step in and help with water storage, and the protection of our ag land and our drinking water. I’d make sure she knows what our community needs. That’s what the job is about.”
