Duarte and Gray argue the meaning of “moderate” in a sold-out debate.

MODESTO – With just 10 days left before the Nov. 5 general election, incumbent Rep. John Duarte (R-Modesto) and former five-term Rep. Adam Gray (D-Merced) met Friday evening to discuss the issues touted as the “Debate in the State Theater”.

Both candidates, who shook hands before and after, repeatedly got into arguments but remained calm and polite while discussing issues such as immigration, reproductive rights, Social Security and Medicare, high-speed rail and same-sex marriage.

“I think it went great tonight,” said Alma Martinez, executive director of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, one of the co-sponsors of the 90-minute event. “I think the audience really loved the questions, I think the contestants did a great job and I’m so proud of the team. Our panelists did a great job answering the questions that really matter to people here in the Central Valley.”

Duarte, who won the 13th Congressional seat by just 564 votes in 2022, described himself as the most moderate House Republican in the country — an important distinction in a district that would have been available in 2020 as currently drawn by President Biden 11 percentage points.

Gray responded that Duarte was a member of the “most unproductive Congress in the history of our country.”

Both candidates believed they could make their case effectively.

“I feel like I really succeeded in getting my message out there and connecting with voters, connecting with viewers and explaining what my services were about and what I want to do for them in the future said Duarte, who wore gray pants and a light blue checkered shirt.

The race was described by several reputable pollsters as a toss-up for all of 2024…until last week. “Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales” reclassified the race as “leaning Democratic.”

“There is an important contrast in this race,” said Gray, who wore a navy suit with a magenta tie. “They ran a conservative Republican — John Duarte — so Republicans could maintain control of Congress. That’s why he’s running for office. And then there is a moderate Democrat like me who is running to advocate for our region and change the type of politics we see in Washington DC.”

The evening began with moderator Victor Patton, editor-in-chief of CVJC’s Merced Focus, asking the candidates what separates them from their opponents, since both claim to be moderates.

“I would encourage voters to look at my record,” Gray said. “In the election, anyone can claim to be a moderate. …But I would encourage you to dig a little deeper and look at our actual records. Over ten years, you will find that my track record has remained consistent and that I have actually done a good job of working with Republicans and that I have received the support of other Republican officials in this district. It’s the balance that matters, not the rhetoric.”

Duarte countered by touting his ranking to the conservative advocacy group Heritage Action.

“I am proud to report that Heritage Action considers John Duarte to be, for all intents and purposes, the lowest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives in Congress,” Duarte said. “I have a voting record. It’s only been two years — I’ve been out there in the real world, running a business, creating jobs, raising a family — but when Heritage Action looks at it all, I’m the highest-ranking (moderate) Republican in Congress.”

The two argued most heatedly over California’s controversial high-speed rail project, which has already cost the state billions and could potentially cost more than $100 billion by the time it is completed.

“This is the most obvious and hopeless panic,” Duarte said. “It makes California a joke. Remember: Every time we spend $1 billion on this train, that’s 20 $50 million projects we’re not including in our communities. That’s 20 wastewater plants, that’s 20 waterworks, that’s 20 motorway interchanges, that’s 20 rest stops, that’s all the infrastructure that we so urgently need.”

Gray said Duarte was naive to believe that the money not used for the train would stay in California.

“John would have you believe that if he somehow votes against high-speed rail, all of a sudden the money will be spent on a road that he wants,” Gray said. “What happens is that other states take the money. The project is progressing. It needs to come under budget…and it needs better management. … At the same time, we should expand water infrastructure and invest in our roads. … I’ve seen you at ribbon-cutting events celebrating infrastructure, the very infrastructure bill you opposed in the last election. It’s crazy.”

Victory in the 13th day of voting will be crucial in determining which party gains control of the House of Representatives. The Republicans have 220 seats in the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 212, with three seats vacant.

The event was co-sponsored by the CVJC, the Maddy Institute and the UC Merced Cape Center.

Moderators included Patton, CVJC’s Brianna Vaccari and Cap Radio’s Kristin Lamb. CVJC Editor-in-Chief Joe Kieta was the master of ceremonies.