4.2 Million: The Fundraising Gap Defining California's 13th District Election

Voters in California's 13th Congressional District will select between two veteran politicians on Nov. 3.

District boundaries were redrawn under Proposition 50, merging the agricultural heart of the San Joaquin Valley with areas running south along Interstate 5 to the Coalinga region. This new map skirting Fresno now includes downtown Stockton, a shift that places former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in direct competition with U.S. Rep. Adam Gray. Lincoln, a former Marine, initially planned a rematch against Rep. Josh Harder in the 9th District but switched his bid to the 13th after the redistricting changes. Gray, a former state assemblymember and Merced native, secured the seat two years prior by defeating John Duarte by 187 votes out of 210,921 ballots cast.

The race centers on affordability, a theme both candidates embrace while proposing different solutions. Federal Election Commission data from June 30 indicates a substantial financial disparity between the contenders. Gray has raised $4.2 million in contributions and loans, while Lincoln has collected $2.2 million. State records from 2023 show the district's partisan lean, with 42.3% of registered voters identifying as Democrats and 28.5% as Republicans. Lincoln holds the explicit endorsement of President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social in December that Lincoln has his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Lincoln, who described himself as "honored and thankful" at the time, continues to feature this support on his campaign website. Democrats are betting that high gas prices and aggressive immigration enforcement will counteract the benefit of the presidential backing.

Lincoln, who served in the Marine Corps' White House Military Office from 2001 to 2005 and served as executive pastor at LifeSong Ministries through 2020, argues that his priority is to "restore the American dream." He aims to make home ownership more affordable, lower the cost of gas, food, and utilities, and cut taxes. At a September rally, he stated he "knows how to grind, knows how to fight and how to win a tough election." He accuses Gray of voting to raise taxes during his time in the legislature, specifically noting that Gray increased the gas tax by more than 113% per gallon.

Gray, a whip for the Blue Dog Coalition, seeks to position himself as an independent voice rather than a partisan representative. He told the Sacramento Bee that voters want "an independent voice, not a Democratic voice, not a Republican voice." He has characterized Trump's deportation policies as "irresponsible, reckless, dangerous." Gray points to his work reversing Medicaid cuts and limiting executive tariff powers without congressional approval as key legislative achievements. He also introduced a measure to reduce regulations surrounding thermal energy. The upcoming election will determine which candidate's approach to the district's economic challenges prevails.

On Nov. 3, the district will decide between the incumbent's legislative record and the challenger's local prominence and presidential alignment.