Adam Gray Bio
Adam Channing Gray (born September 23, 1977) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party who has served as the United States Representative for California’s 13th congressional district since January 3, 2025. The district covers the San Joaquin Valley and includes all of Merced County along with parts of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties. Gray is widely recognized for his centrist approach, his support for agricultural communities, and his work on water storage and rural health care issues in the Central Valley. He currently serves as whip of the Blue Dog Coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early Life and Background
Adam Channing Gray was born on September 23, 1977, in Merced, California. He grew up in a family that operated a local dairy supply and feed store, giving him an early understanding of small business and the agricultural economy that defines the San Joaquin Valley. He attended Golden Valley High School in Merced, where he was part of the school’s first graduating class. These early experiences shaped his practical approach to public policy and his long-standing focus on rural issues.
After high school, Gray attended Merced College before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. While still in college, he gained firsthand exposure to government work by interning for Congressman Gary Condit. This internship helped him build relationships in California politics and pointed him toward a career in public service.
Path to US Politics
Following his graduation from UC Santa Barbara, Gray entered California politics by working in the district office of State Assemblymember Dennis Cardoza. He later served on the staffs of several Democratic assemblymembers, including Herb Wesson, Fabian Núñez, and Jerome Horton, and eventually joined the staff of State Senator Ron Calderon. In 2015, Gray was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in connection with Calderon’s federal corruption trial, an experience that deepened his understanding of ethics and government accountability.
These staff positions allowed Gray to develop expertise in legislative procedures, agricultural policy, and the concerns of Central Valley communities. Over time, he built a reputation as a thoughtful and pragmatic Democrat who was willing to work with Republicans on regional priorities, setting the stage for his own run for elected office.
Adam Gray Career
Early Career (2012–2021)
Gray was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2012, winning 58.2 percent of the vote in the 21st district, which includes Merced County and parts of Stanislaus County. He was reelected in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020, often with strong margins. In 2014, he ran unopposed in the primary and won 95.3 percent of the vote, then secured 66.8 percent in 2016, 71.3 percent in 2018, and 59.6 percent in 2020.
During his time in the State Assembly, Gray served 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. He also chaired the Governmental Organization Committee and helped secure $3 billion in funding for water storage in the Central Valley. He founded the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and supported Merced and Stanislaus counties as a potential site for Tesla Motors’ planned Gigafactory.
2022 Congressional Bid and Defeat (2022)
On January 18, 2022, Gray announced his candidacy for California’s 13th congressional district in the 2022 general election. He advanced from the June primary and faced Republican pistachio farmer John Duarte in the fall. The race was one of the last House contests in the country to be called, and Gray ultimately lost by just 564 votes after conceding on December 2, 2022. The narrow defeat set the stage for a rematch two years later.
2024 Congressional Rematch and Win (2024)
In August 2023, Gray announced that he would run again against Duarte in the 2024 election. The rematch drew national attention because of its narrow margins and regional significance. Following several weeks of vote counting, Gray pulled ahead on November 26 by a margin of 182 votes. The Associated Press called the race on December 4, making it the last congressional contest to be decided in the 2024 cycle.
U.S. House of Representatives (2025–Present)
Gray took office on January 3, 2025, representing California’s 13th congressional district. He was appointed to the House Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and was named whip of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of centrist Democrats. In the 119th Congress, he has focused on issues affecting the San Joaquin Valley, including water supply, wildfire response, and rural health care. He was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act of 2025.
On the Natural Resources Committee, Gray co-sponsored two bipartisan bills to expand federal support for groundwater storage and recharge efforts in California. 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 cause significant regional economic harm. In addition, he introduced legislation to establish a standardized rapid response system for wildfires.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gray’s political career has been defined by a series of tight, hard-fought races in California’s Central Valley. His 2022 loss to John Duarte by 564 votes and his 2024 rematch victory by 182 votes are among the narrowest congressional margins in recent U.S. history. His work on water storage, rural health care, and bipartisan problem-solving has shaped his reputation as a pragmatic voice for the San Joaquin Valley.
Adam Gray Family
Family Background and Public Service Lineage
Gray grew up in Merced, California, in a family that operated a dairy supply and feed store. This family business gave him an early appreciation for the agricultural economy that drives the San Joaquin Valley. While in college, he interned for Congressman Gary Condit, beginning a long relationship with the Condit family that would later become a personal connection.
Personal Life
Gray was previously married to Cadee Condit, the daughter of former Congressman Gary Condit. They have one child together. Gray’s family ties and deep roots in Merced County continue to shape his approach to representing the Central Valley in Congress.