Adam Gray

Adam Gray is a member of the Democratic Party and has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 13th congressional district since January 2025. Born and raised in Merced, California, he attended Merced College before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2000. Prior to his election to Congress, Gray worked as a legislative aide for several state lawmakers and served as a lecturer at the University of California, Merced, and California State University, Stanislaus. Gray represented the 21st District in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022. During his state legislative tenure, he was known for his focus on the Central Valley’s agricultural and water needs, founding the California Agriculture-Water Caucus and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. He was instrumental in securing funding for the UC Merced medical school and advocating for increased water storage infrastructure. After narrowly losing his first bid for Congress in 2022, Gray won the 2024 rematch against incumbent John Duarte to assume office in the 119th Congress.

Adam Gray identifies as a moderate Democrat and serves as the whip of the Blue Dog Coalition. His primary policy focus is water security, where he advocates for increased storage capacity and opposes the diversion of water from the San Joaquin Valley to other regions. On healthcare, Gray supports expanding rural access through initiatives like the UC Merced medical school and has introduced legislation to permanently extend Affordable Care Act tax credits and improve maternal care in rural communities. Regarding the economy, he emphasizes lowering the cost of living by reducing tariffs, supporting public infrastructure, and promoting energy independence through a mix of renewables and nuclear power. In criminal justice, Gray has historically supported tougher sentencing, having opposed state measures like Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, while also advocating for police accountability and increased public safety funding.