California GOP hopeful wins House seat

LOS ANGELES — Republican John Duarte defeated Democrat Adam Gray in a new California U.S. House district in the Central Valley farm belt that produced the closest congressional contest in the state this year.

With virtually all of the ballots counted Friday, Duarte has just over 50% of the vote. Gray conceded, saying, “I accept the results and have called to congratulate my opponent.”

“This was one of the closest races in the country. More than 130,000 ballots were cast, and the outcome will be decided by just a few hundred votes,” Gray said.

Duarte said, “I promised our Valley families that I would be their bipartisan champion in Washington, D.C. by fighting for food on our tables, gas in our tanks, and water on our farms. That is exactly what I am going to go there to do.”

With Duarte’s victory, Republicans will hold 221 House seats next year, Democrats 213, with one Colorado race undecided and going to a recount.