The Republican Party achieved a unified Republican government in the 2024 election, but some races, including two in California, are still too close to determine the winners.
Republicans secured a trifecta in the November general election, controlling the Oval Office, House, and Senate. While the presidential election was quickly decided in favor of former President Donald Trump, several congressional races remain undecided. Two of these races are in California.
In District 13, Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte is leading former Democratic state Assemblyman Adam Gray by just 203 votes in the Central Valley. The race has been closely contested, with Duarte initially holding 51.3 percent of the vote, but Gray has closed the gap, bringing the vote split to 50 percent each. Both candidates have a history of tight races, having faced off in a midterm election in 2022.
Duarte, a businessman and pistachio farmer, has been representing District 13 since January 2023. He has sponsored bills such as the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act and focuses on combating the high cost of living, protecting water and farms in the Central Valley, and ensuring safe communities.
Gray, who served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022, advocates for affordable healthcare, job creation, education, public safety, and water protection in the region.
In District 45, located in Orange and Los Angeles counties, Republican incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel is trailing behind Democrat Derek Tran by 519 votes. Steel, elected to the House in 2020, prioritizes job creation, crime reduction, tax cuts, border security, veteran care, homelessness solutions, and affordable healthcare.
Tran aims to preserve Social Security and Medicare funding, increase education funding, combat discrimination against marginalized communities, and protect abortion access.
The Associated Press estimates that 98 percent of votes have been counted in both races. The final results for these elections will be certified by December 13.
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