Adam Gray

Last updated

Cadee Condit
(divorced)
Adam Gray
Adam Gray, official portrait (119th Congress).jpg
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from California's 13th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2025
Children1
Education Merced College
University of California, Santa Barbara (BA)
Website House website
Campaign website

Adam Channing Gray (born September 23, 1977) [1] is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for California's 13th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022, representing the 21st district, which includes all of Merced County and portions of Stanislaus County.

Contents

Gray is the whip of the Blue Dog Coalition. He lost his first bid for his congressional district in 2022 by a few hundred votes but won the seat in 2024 by a similar narrow margin. His district is located in the San Joaquin Valley, and includes all of Merced County and parts of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties.

Early life and education

Adam Channing Gray was born on September 23, 1977, in Merced, California. [2] He grew up working in his family's dairy supply and feed store, [3] and went to Golden Valley High School in Merced where he graduated as part of the first class. [4]

Gray went on to attend Merced College [5] and then earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. [2] While in school, he interned for congressman Gary Condit. [6]

Early career

Following college, Gray worked in the district office of state assemblymember Dennis Cardoza [7] and later served as a staffer for assemblymembers Herb Wesson, Fabian Nunez, and Jerome Horton. [6] He subsequently joined the staff of state senator Ron Calderon. [8] In 2015, he was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in connection with Calderon's federal corruption trial. [9]

California State Assembly

Official portrait of Gray in the California State Assembly, 2012 Gray headshot.jpg
Official portrait of Gray in the California State Assembly, 2012

Gray was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2012, receiving 58.2% of the vote. [10] In the 2014 primary election, He received 95.3% of the vote and was reelected in 2016 with 66.8% of the vote and again in 2018 with 71.3% of the vote. [11] In 2020, he received 59.6% of the vote.

He was on the Committee for Accountability and Administrative Review, the Agriculture Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Select Committee on Health Care Access in Rural Communities. Gray was also a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management[ citation needed ] and chairman of the Governmental Organization Committee. [12]

While in the state assembly, Gray founded the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus which worked across party lines to pass legislation. [3] He was involved in securing $3 billion for water storage in the Central Valley and helped bring funding for a new medical school at UC Merced. Gray broke with his party on several water policy issues, pushing back against Democratic proposals to cut water supplies to irrigation districts in the San Joaquin Valley. [3] As a result of his opposition to proposed limits on water flows, he was removed from his chairmanship of the Government Organization Committee by the assembly leader. [12]

In 2014, Gray supported Merced and Stanislaus counties as a potential site for Tesla Motors' multibillion-dollar "Giga-Factory". [13] [14]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

California's 13th congressional district since 2023 California's 13th congressional district (since 2023) (new version).svg
California's 13th congressional district since 2023

On January 18, 2022, Gray announced that he would be a candidate for California's 13th congressional district in the 2022 election for the United States House of Representatives. [15] The 13th district is located in the Central Valley, and includes Merced County and parts of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties. [16] Gray advanced from the June primary and faced Republican pistachio farmer John Duarte in the November general election. [17] He conceded the race on December 2, shortly after the race was called by the Associated Press. [18] It was one of the last U.S. House races in the country to be decided; Gray lost by only 564 votes. [19]

2024

In August 2023, Gray announced his candidacy against Duarte again in the 2024 election. [20]

In August 2024, the Los Angeles Times reported that Gray bought real estate shortly before a $50 million state-funded redevelopment of 70 acres of the former Castle Air Force Base. [21] [22] Gray had disclosed the investments to state officials, but not on his federal disclosure forms after 2022. A former state ethics official noted that the timing of Gray's investment could raise concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest. Gray's campaign manager denied any impropriety. [23]

Following weeks of counting, Gray eventually took the lead over Duarte on November 26, by a margin of 182 votes, with the race being called on December 4. [24] It was the last congressional race to be called in the 2024 election. [25]

Tenure

Gray took office on January 3, 2025, representing California's 13th congressional district. [26] He was appointed to the House Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and was named whip of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition. [2] [27]

As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, Gray co-sponsored two bipartisan bills to expand federal support for groundwater storage and recharge efforts in California. [27] He also introduced the Valley Water Protection Act, which would limit the implementation of the Endangered Species Act in cases where it could pose a national security risk or causes significant regional economic harm. [28] He later introduced legislation to establish a standardized rapid response system for wildfires. [29]

Gray was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act of 2025. [30]

Committee assignments

Gray discusses the risks of blanket tariffs on agriculture exports, 2025 Adam Gray traiffs.jpeg
Gray discusses the risks of blanket tariffs on agriculture exports, 2025

For the 119th Congress: [31]

Caucus memberships

Gray's caucus memberships include: [33]

Personal life

Gray was previously married to Cadee Condit, the daughter of Gary Condit. [6] They have one child. [2]

Electoral history

2014

California's 21st State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent)26,01595.3
Republican Jack Mobley (write-in)1,2864.7
Total votes27,301 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 34,931 53.4
Republican Jack Mobley30,49946.6
Total votes65,430 100.0
Democratic hold

2016

California's 21st State Assembly district election, 2016
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent)43,87466.8
Republican Greg Opinski21,75433.1
Republican Brien J. Rahilly (write-in)360.1
Total votes65,664 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 85,990 69.8
Republican Greg Opinski37,23030.2
Total votes123,220 100.0
Democratic hold

2018

California's 21st State Assembly district election, 2018
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent)43,02399.9
Libertarian Justin Ryan Quigley (write-in)490.1
Total votes43,072 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 74,320 71.3
Libertarian Justin Ryan Quigley29,85528.7
Total votes104,175 100.0
Democratic hold

2020

2020 California's 21st State Assembly district election
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 54,987 99.0
Republican Joel Gutierrez Campos (write in) 300 0.5
Republican Guadalupe Salazar (write in)2560.5
Total votes55,287 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 93,816 59.6
Republican Joel Gutierrez Campos63,51440.4
Total votes

2022

California's 13th congressional district , 2022
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Duarte26,16334.2
Democratic Adam Gray23,78431.1
Democratic Phil Arballo13,09917.1
Republican David Giglio11,32014.8
Republican Diego Martinez2,0262.7
Total votes76,392 100.0
General election
Republican John Duarte 67,060 50.2
Democratic Adam Gray66,49649.8
Total votes133,556 100.0
Republican win (new seat)

2024

California's 13th congressional district, 2024 [34] [35]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Duarte (incumbent)47,21954.9
Democratic Adam Gray38,75445.1
Total votes85,973 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray 105,554 50.04
Republican John Duarte (incumbent)105,36749.96
Total votes210,921 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

References

  1. "Adam Gray". CalMatters. September 8, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rep. Adam Gray - D California, 13th, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Gomez, Melissa (September 28, 2024). "In a 'purple' California district, a GOP congressman fights to defend a seat he won by 564 votes". Los Angeles Times.
  4. Miller, John (February 6, 2025). "Congressman Gray takes oath in front of constituents". Merced County Times. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  5. "Gray, Adam". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 White, Jeremy (August 3, 2015). "Adam Gray: A canny California politician forges his own path". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  7. Rappley, Nick (September 2, 2011). "21st Assembly race ramps up after Berryhill exits". Tank Town Media. Patterson Irrigator. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  8. McGreevy, Patrick (April 10, 2015). "Assemblyman Gray, other state officials subpoenaed in Calderon corruption trial". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  9. Rosenhall, Laurel (July 15, 2013). "Assemblyman Adam Gray to testify in FBI's Calderon investigation". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  10. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  11. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 4, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Assemblyman Adam Gray is stripped of committee chairmanship". Modesto Bee. December 15, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. Carlson, Ken (July 15, 2014). "Making the case for putting Tesla battery factory in Northern San Joaquin Valley". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  14. Funez, Elias (July 17, 2014). "Could 10,000,000 sq. ft. Tesla plant call Patterson home?". Patterson Irrigator. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  15. "California Democrat Adam Gray to run for Congress in 2022". Merced Sun Star. January 18, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  16. Mehta, Seema; Mehta, Priscella (October 26, 2022). "Your guide to the California Congressional District 13 race: John Duarte vs. Adam Gray". Los Angeles Times.
  17. Cowan, Jill (June 15, 2022). "Democratic lawmaker will face G.O.P. businessman in Central Valley battleground". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  18. "GOP's Duarte takes California Central Valley US House seat". AP News. December 2, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  19. "Democrat Adam Gray flips California swing seat blue". Politico . December 3, 2024.
  20. Sheeler, Andrew (August 29, 2023). "Adam Gray Announces Congressional Bid, Setting Up Central Valley Rematch with Rep. John Duarte". www.sacbee.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  21. "In key congressional race, Republicans criticize Democrat's Central Valley real estate deal". Los Angeles Times. August 25, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  22. Gligich, Daniel (August 27, 2024). "Gray's undisclosed real estate deal at Castle AFB "suspicious," watchdog says". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  23. Gligich, Daniel (September 24, 2024). "Gray's business dealings at Castle AFB bubble up over brewery ties". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  24. Weber, Lindsay (November 27, 2024). "Gray pulls ahead of Duarte in race for California Congressional District 13". KCRA. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  25. Cowan, Jill (December 4, 2024). "California Democrat Flips Seat in the Last House Race to Be Called". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  26. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601. "Adam Gray (California (CA)), 119th Congress Profile". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. 1 2 Downs, Garrett (February 28, 2025). "California Blue Dog seeks GOP allies, pushes water issues". E&E News by Politico.
  28. Stafford, Sabra (June 18, 2025). "Congressman Gray introduces Valley Water Protection Act". Turlock Journal.
  29. Cortez, Joe (June 20, 2025). "Gray bill would create rapid response standard for wildfires". Turlock Journal.
  30. Rashid, Hafiz (January 22, 2025). "The 46 Democrats Who Voted for Republicans' Racist Immigration Bill". The New Republic. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  31. "Adam Gray". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  32. "Ranking Member Angie Craig Announces Subcommittee Vice Ranking Members for 119th Congress". House Agriculture Committee Democrats. February 12, 2025.
  33. "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Gray. January 3, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  34. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 82. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  35. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. Sacramento: Secretary of State of California. 2024. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California State Assembly
from the 21st district

2012–2022
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 13th congressional district

2025–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
392nd
Succeeded by