John Duarte (politician)

John Duarte
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 13th district
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded byBarbara Lee (redistricting)
Succeeded byAdam Gray
Personal details
Born
John Scott Duarte

(1966-09-09) September 9, 1966 (age 58)
Modesto, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Alexandra Duarte
​
(m. 1996)​

[citation needed]
Children4
Education

John Scott Duarte[1] (born September 9, 1966)[2] is an American politician, businessman, and farmer.[3][4][5] A member of the Republican Party, he served as the U.S. representative for California's 13th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.[6]

Early life and education

Duarte was born on September 9, 1966, in Modesto, California, to Jim and Anita Duarte.[citation needed] He is of Portuguese ancestry.[7] Duarte 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.[9]

In 2017, Duarte was ordered to pay a $2.8 million government fine after the United States Army Corps of Engineers claimed that he had violated the Clean Water Act by plowing a field to plant wheat on his property in Tehama County.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 13

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 state Assemblyman Adam Gray advanced to the general election.[11] He defeated Gray in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections by 564 votes in an upset. He was declared the winner on December 3, 2022, almost a month after the election.[12]

2024

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 13

Duarte ran for reelection against Gray again in 2024.[13] Following weeks of counting, Gray eventually took the lead over Duarte on November 26, 2024, by a margin of 182 votes, with the race being called for Gray on December 4.[14]

Tenure

Duarte was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. He supported Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.[15]

In October 2023, Duarte said that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy should be reinstated as Speaker due to the unrest in Israel changing the political dynamics and stakes in the U.S. House.[16] After McCarthy's ouster, Duarte supported Steve Scalise as the nominee.[17] Once Scalise dropped out, Duarte voted for Jim Jordan on the House floor.[18]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[19]

Political positions

Duarte has said "I don't care about party politics" and that "I'll stand against 'the woke.' I'll stand against the ultra-conservatives."[20]

Building new infrastructure to secure water for the San Joaquin Valley was one of Duarte's top priorities.[20]

Abortion

In 2023, Duarte was one of two Republicans to vote against the Ronny Jackson amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.[21][22] In 2024, Duarte said he was a pro-choice Republican. Duarte has voiced opposition to a federal ban on abortion but has stated that abortion "should be left to the states".[23]

LGBT rights

In 2023, Duarte was the only Republican to vote against the Matt Rosendale amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would prohibit TRICARE from covering and the Department of Defense from furnishing gender affirmation surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals.[24][25]

Confederate Naming Commission

Duarte was one of 41 Republicans to vote against the Bob Good amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would defund a congressionally mandated commission tasked with renaming Army bases and military property named in honor of Confederate leaders.[26][27]

Immigration

Duarte has described himself as "immigration fluid", meaning that he both supports greater border security but also recognizes that agriculture depends on farmworkers who lack legal immigration status. He has said only a bipartisan approach will effectively address immigration issues.[20]

In 2023, Duarte was one of two Republicans who voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. He called the E-Verify program "devastating for farmers."[28]

Duarte was a sponsor of the Farm Worker Modernization Act which seeks to boost foreign worker availability in the U.S., with benefits to both employers and laborers.[29]

Duarte supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).[30]

Israel

Duarte voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[31][32]

Electoral history

Electoral history of John Duarte
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing Ref.
Total % P. Total % P.
2022 U.S. House Republican 26,163 34.25% 1st 67,060 50.21% 1st Won Gain [33]
2024 Republican 47,219 54.9% 1st 105,367 49.96% 2nd Lost Gain [34]
Source: Secretary of State of California | Statewide Election Results

Personal life

Duarte lives with his wife, Alexandra, on a pistachio and almond farm outside of Modesto in rural Stanislaus County. They have four children. Duarte is an Episcopalian.[35]

References

  1. ^ "John Duarte". Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "DUARTE, John". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. ^ "Your guide to the California Congressional District 13 race: John Duarte vs. Adam Gray". Los Angeles Times. October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Zavala, Ashley (November 15, 2022). "Control of the US House of Representatives could be left up to California". KCRA. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  5. ^ ""Every single vote counts": U.S. House race maintains razor thin margin between Duarte, Gray in CA-13". www.cbsnews.com. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "GOP's Duarte takes California Central Valley US House seat". Associated Press. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Four Portuguese-Americans from California in Congress". California Portuguese American Coalition. December 21, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "Adam Gray vs. John Duarte: Where candidates for California's 13th Congressional District stand". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  9. ^ "Rep. John Duarte - R California, 13th, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "He plowed his field and got hit with a $2.8 million fine". Sacramento Bee. May 31, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "California 13th Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 7, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  12. ^ Mizelle, Shawna (December 3, 2022). "Republican John Duarte wins open House seat in California after Democrat concedes | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  13. ^ Brassil, Gillian. "John Duarte vs. Adam Gray for Congress: Why experts are watching this California election". Sacramento Bee.
  14. ^ Weber, Lindsay (November 27, 2024). "Gray pulls ahead of Duarte in race for California Congressional District 13". KCRA. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Stapley, Garth. "What Stanislaus congressional representatives are saying about House speaker disarray". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  16. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 9, 2023). "Moderate Republican argues McCarthy should return as Speaker, citing Israel unrest". The Hill. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Content, Syndicated. "Republican Scalise struggles for votes after winning US House speaker nomination". WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM | Green Bay, WI. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Perry, Kati; Dormido, Hannah; Zakharenko, Hanna; Blanco, Adrian. "How each House member voted for speaker". Washington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "John S. Duarte". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c Morgante, Michelle (September 2, 2023). "Congressman Duarte tells Valley voters he'll stand against 'the woke' and 'ultra-conservatives'". Fresnoland. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "H.Amdt. 222 (Jackson) to H.R. 2670: To prohibit the Secretary … -- House Vote #300 -- Jul 13, 2023". GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "Scoop: Abortion threatens House spending fights". July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Brassil, Gillian (September 18, 2024). "Is Republican congressman in California tossup really 'pro-choice'? What both candidates say". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "H.Amdt. 223 (Rosendale) to H.R. 2670: To prohibit TRICARE from … -- House Vote #301 -- Jul 13, 2023". GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Shabad, Zoë Richards, Rebecca Kaplan and Rebecca (July 14, 2023). "House passes defense bill after GOP adopts abortion and transgender surgery amendments". CNBC. Retrieved August 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ "H.Amdt. 242 (Good) to H.R. 2670: To prohibit the use … -- House Vote #316 -- Jul 13, 2023". GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  27. ^ O’Brien, Connor (July 14, 2023). "The House just passed a defense bill with controversial abortion, LGBTQ measures. It doesn't stand a chance in the Senate". POLITICO. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  28. ^ Halvorson, Sabrina (May 15, 2023). "Duarte Says H.R. 2 E-Verify Program 'Devastating' for Farmers". AgNet West. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  29. ^ "Duarte pushes for Farm Worker Modernization Act". www.ny1.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Kim, Caitlyn (June 15, 2023). "11 years after the creation of DACA, Congress trying again to give 'Dreamers' more legal certainty". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  31. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Primary election:
    General election:
  34. ^ Primary election: General election:
  35. ^ Jeff Diamant (January 3, 2023). "Faith on the Hill. The religious composition of the 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 13th congressional district
2023–2025 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative