Kevin Lincoln Targets Adam Gray in Redrawn California District 13

California voters in the 13th Congressional District will decide on November 3 whether to keep Democratic Representative Adam Gray or elect Republican Kevin Lincoln, the former mayor of Stockton. The contest pits two long-time local officials against each other in a district that has been reshaped by new boundary lines. Both candidates identify affordability as the primary concern for residents, yet they propose distinct solutions to the problem.

Lincoln, a former Marine and pastor, gained visibility in 2024 when he ran unsuccessfully against Representative Josh Harder in the 9th District. He initially planned to seek a rematch with Harder but changed his strategy after Proposition 50 redrew the district maps. The new District 13 encompasses the agricultural core of the San Joaquin Valley and extends south along Interstate 5 to the Coalinga area, bypassing Fresno. This shift places downtown Stockton within Gray's jurisdiction, a geographic reality that may be new to some constituents who previously voted in a different district.

Gray secured his current seat two years ago in a tightly contested election. He defeated Republican Representative John Duarte by a margin of 187 votes out of 210,921 total ballots. State records from 2023 indicate that the district was registered with 42.3% Democrats and 28.5% Republicans prior to the redistricting process. Lincoln has leveraged his national profile to build support, most notably through a written endorsement from President Donald Trump. In December, the president posted on Truth Social that Lincoln has his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Lincoln stated he was "honored and thankful" for the support and continues to feature the message on his campaign website.

The endorsement proved effective during the primary phase, but Democratic strategists argue that current economic conditions may benefit an opponent. High gas prices and aggressive immigration enforcement tactics are expected to weigh on candidates who carry the president's approval. Lincoln has also produced a video for the National Republican Congressional Committee titled "MAGA Majority." In the clip, he references his tenure as mayor, his service protecting the president as a Marine, and his work as a pastor. 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 LifeSong Ministries in Stockton through 2020.

Campaign messaging from Lincoln focuses on restoring the American dream through affordable home ownership. He accuses Gray of voting to raise taxes and outlines a platform to lower costs for gas, food, and utilities while creating jobs and expanding healthcare access. At a rally in September, Lincoln declared that he "knows how to grind, knows how to fight and how to win a tough election."

Gray, a native of Merced, has positioned himself as an independent voice rather than a partisan Democrat. He has described Trump's deportation policies as "irresponsible, reckless, dangerous." Gray serves as a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate lawmakers focused on cross-party cooperation. He cites his legislative record, including efforts to reverse Republican Medicaid cuts and limit the president's ability to impose tariffs without congressional consent. He also introduced a measure to reduce regulations related to thermal energy.

The candidates disagree sharply on specific costs. Lincoln argues that Gray "increased the gas tax over 113% a gallon" during his time in the California Legislature. Gray points to rising gasoline and diesel prices since the start of the war with Iran as evidence of the broader economic pressures facing voters. Financial resources also show a gap between the two camps. Federal Election Commission data from June 30 indicates that Gray has raised $4.2 million in contributions and loans. Lincoln has accumulated $2.2 million in the same period, leaving him with a funding disadvantage of $2 million.