Former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln has thrown his hat into the congressional ring once again, this time aiming for California's 13th Congressional District, according to ABC10. This district, reshaped following the passage of Proposition 50, appears to have Lincoln ready to challenge Democrat Adam Gray, who narrowly claimed victory in November 2024.
Lincoln, who was on the losing side of a 51.8% to 48.2% vote against incumbent Democrat Josh Harder in 2024's race for California's 9th Congressional District, is painting his bid as an extension of his commitment to public service. "As a Marine and former Mayor, I've always dedicated my life to serving others, and today, I am proud to announce that I will be running for U.S. Congress in California's 13th district," Lincoln said, as reported by ABC10. His campaign faces an uphill battle given the 15 percentage point advantage Democrats hold in voter registration within the new district boundaries.
Despite of the Democratic advantage, Lincoln's platform appears to be based on a critique of the current representation's policies. "While families across the Valley are working harder than ever to make ends meet, Washington politicians like Adam Gray have fallen in line with a failed liberal agenda that’s made life less affordable and less safe," Lincoln said in a statement obtained by KCRA. His campaign seems set to focus on issues relating to family welfare, agriculture, and a restoration of faith in the American Dream.
Meanwhile, Gray's camp has responded to Lincoln's candidacy with sharp criticism of his record. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee highlighted challenges encountered during Lincoln’s mayoral tenure, saying, "Kevin Lincoln can run for Congress wherever he wants, but he can’t run from his record of skyrocketing housing and utility costs, rampant crime, and taxpayer-funded perks for himself," in a statement released to ABC10. They credit incumbent Adam Gray’s deep understanding of the Valley and his ability to deliver to his constituents as reasons for his prior success.
The political landscape continues to shift, with California Republicans having filed a lawsuit to contest the newly drawn U.S. House maps. Additionally, a citizen's ballot initiative has been proposed to limit the use of these redrawn maps to a single congressional term. This initiative would need close to 875,000 signatures to make it onto the 2026 ballot, as per details reported by ABC10.
