California Congressional Candidates Debate in Race for Pivotal House Seat

The 2022 Central Valley race was one of the closest in the nation, decided by fewer than 600 votes. Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) and Democrat candidate Adam Gray faced off in a debate in Modesto before voters decided who would represent California’s 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. This contest was a rematch from the previous election, which was the second closest House race of the year. The candidates discussed various issues such as energy policies, taxes, immigration, and more. Gray criticized Congress for mismanaging the budget and called for tough decisions on revenue and spending. Duarte emphasized fiscal prudence and challenged some climate-related policies. Both candidates addressed the need for bipartisan efforts and expressed their intentions to legislate from the political center. The district, with a majority Hispanic population, is split between Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Both candidates highlighted the importance of securing water for the agricultural region in the Central Valley. They also agreed on the need for more housing construction to improve affordability. Duarte won the primary by a significant margin, but analysts predict a close race in the general election. Duarte, a fourth-generation farmer, emphasized his commitment to helping families, businesses, and farmers. Gray, who worked in family businesses before entering politics, focused on addressing critical issues such as homelessness and the pandemic. Both candidates received support from various groups and emphasized the need for change in Washington, D.C. Could you please rephrase that?

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