Democratic incumbents Josh Harder in California’s Congressional District 9 and Adam Gray in District 13 were coasting to easy wins in Tuesday’s primary election.
Harder, who had about 60% of the vote with 56.6% of precincts partially reporting, was facing four Republican challengers. John McBride had the most support, with 22.4% of the vote.
Gray, meanwhile, held about 41.8% of the vote against four opponents, with 100% of precincts partially reporting. Of those, former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Republican, was coming in second with 28.5% of the vote.
The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
Redistricting that California voters approved last November shifted San Joaquin Valley counties in these two districts. District 9 and 13 represent parts of San Joaquin County.
There were 410,058 registered voters in San Joaquin County this election, according to the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters. The first round of results came after 9 p.m. with 58,639 of ballots counted. By 10 p.m. only 59,998 were counted.
Visit our Elections page throughout the day Tuesday, June 2, for the latest news, results and more as the California 2026 Primary gets underway.
California Congressional District 9 vote results
On Tuesday morning, Harder told The Record he was feeling great about the race.
“I’ve heard from folks across the district. We’ve been working to introduce ourselves to folks that haven’t necessarily seen me on the ballot before, given the new line. But folks are really resonating with our message of lowering costs, fixing health care, ending corruption,” Harder said. “That’s the message that folks can get excited about all across the district.”
Harder thanked residents who voted for him.
“We’re going to do our best to try to continue to earn that trust and that confidence every single day with the real results that San Joaquin County needs, especially to lower the cost of living across our area,” Harder said.
Some of the district’s main issues are healthcare, homelessness, cost of living and immigration.
A large portion of the San Joaquin Valley is in District 9. The district also includes most of San Joaquin County with cities like Tracy, Manteca, Lodi, Ripon, Escalon and Mountain House, and several census-designated places like French Camp. Parts of Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties are also in District 9.
The five candidates shared their positions on healthcare affordability and access, the racial wealth gap and economic opportunity during a forum at Victory In Praise Church ahead of the June 2 primary election on May 4. This was organized by the Stockton branch of the NAACP, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Faith in the Valley and Victory in Praise Church.
Harder has been in office since Jan. 3, 2023, with his current term ending on Jan. 3, 2027, according to Ballotpedia. He is endorsed by the Democratic Party of California, California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, California Teachers Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers and more.
McBride is endorsed by the Republican Party of California and San Joaquin County, and San Joaquin Young Republicans, among others.
McBride could not immediately be reached Tuesday night before publication.
The other candidates endorsements are not listed on Ballotpedia.
California Congressional District 13 vote results
Adam Gray has been in his position since Jan 3, 2025. His current term ends on Jan. 3, 2027, according to Ballotpedia. He is endorsed by the Democratic Party of California, the National Union of Healthcare Workers and the California Federation of Teachers’ Voting Group, among others.
Kevin Lincoln is endorsed by President Donald Trump, the Republican Party of California, San Joaquin County, Calif., the Republican Party and others.
Voting in San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County polls opened for voters on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, at 130 polling locations, the registrar of voters’ office, and drop box locations. All polls closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Ballots were dropped off on Tuesday at one of 27 secure ballot drop box locations in the county.
The San Joaquin County Administration Building at 44 N. San Joaquin St. in Stockton also had a drive-through drop-off location available outside.
This story will be updated as election results become available.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Josh Harder and Adam Gray lead Congress Districts 9 and 13 seats
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
