John Duarte | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 13th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Lee (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1966 Modesto, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Alexandra Duarte (m. 1996) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | San Diego State University (BA) University of the Pacific (MBA) |
| Website | House website |
John Scott Duarte (born September 9, 1966) is an American politician, businessman, nurseryman and pistachio farmer.[1][2][3] A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the U.S. representative for California's 13th congressional district since 2023.[4]
California’s 13th congressional district was listed as a key competitive House race that could help determine control of the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.[5] His election was the second-closest in the nation, behind Lauren Boebert's election in Colorado's 3rd congressional district.[6]
Early life and education
Duarte was born on September 9, 1966, in Modesto, California, to Jim and Anita Duarte, and is the grandson of Portuguese immigrants.[7] He graduated from the University of the Pacific’s Eberhardt School of Business with an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in finance from San Diego State University in 1989.[8]
Early career
In 1989, Duarte began his career as a vice president of sales for Duarte Trees & Vines, which was founded by his parents in 1988. In 2007, he became the company’s chief executive officer and president.[citation needed]
In 2017, Duarte was ordered to pay a $1.1 million fine after he was sued by USACE, claiming that he had illegally filled wetlands on his wheat field in Tehama County by plowing it, a violation of the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit garnered national attention and lasted over five years.[9]
U.S. House of Representatives
On March 9, 2022, Duarte launched a campaign to represent California's 13th congressional district after the 2020 United States redistricting cycle created a new district based in the Central Valley. He and California state Assemblyman Adam Gray advanced to the general election.[10] He defeated Gray in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections with 50.2% of the vote. He was declared the winner on December 3, 2022, almost a month after the election.[11]
Tenure
Duarte was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. He supported Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.[12]
Political positions
Abortion
Duarte is a self-described “moderate” on abortion, and opposes a nationwide abortion ban. He supports access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Duarte also opposes codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.[13]
Immigration
Duarte named border security one of his top priorities and one of the main reasons he ran for Congress. He called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's decision to fly migrants to Democratic-leaning states a "creative idea" during a debate.[13]
Environment
Duarte has said the U.S. has "done its fair share for green energy" and that "America cannot allow ourselves to become less competitive, pursuing green energy fantasies on the backs of working families". During his congressional campaign, he said "several leftist activists" had been arrested for setting wildfires in the Sierra Nevada "to draw attention to global warming".[13]
Electoral history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | John Duarte | 26,163 | 34.2 | |
| Democratic | Adam Gray | 23,784 | 31.1 | |
| Democratic | Phil Arballo | 13,099 | 17.1 | |
| Republican | David Giglio | 11,320 | 14.8 | |
| Republican | Diego Martinez | 2,026 | 2.7 | |
| Total votes | 76,392 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | John Duarte | 67,060 | 50.2 | |
| Democratic | Adam Gray | 66,496 | 49.8 | |
| Total votes | 133,556 | 100.0 | ||
Personal life
Duarte lives with his wife Alexandra Duarte on a pistachio and almond farm outside of Modesto in rural Stanislaus County. They have 4 children.
References
- ^ "Your guide to the California Congressional District 13 race: John Duarte vs. Adam Gray". Los Angeles Times. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ Zavala, Ashley (2022-11-15). "Control of the US House of Representatives could be left up to California". KCRA. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ ""Every single vote counts": U.S. House race maintains razor thin margin between Duarte, Gray in CA-13". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ "GOP's Duarte takes California Central Valley US House seat". Associated Press. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- ^ "2022 House Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
- ^ "Midterm nail-biters: Top 5 closest House races of 2022". Washington Examiner. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ "John Duarte, Republican Candidate in California's 13th Congressional District" (PDF). DCCC. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "About John". John Duarte for Congress. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ Today, California Ag (13 August 2017). "Embattled Farmer John Duarte Defends Farming in Federal Court". California Agriculture News Today. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ "California 13th Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ Mizelle, Shawna (3 December 2022). "Republican John Duarte wins open House seat in California after Democrat concedes | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ STAPLEY, GARTH. "What Stanislaus congressional representatives are saying about House speaker disarray". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "John Duarte". Meet the Freshmen. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ "June 7, 2022, Primary Election United States Representative" (PDF). California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. 2022-06-25.
External links
- Official website
- John Duarte for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| Authority control: People |
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This page was last edited on 18 March 2023, at 06:42