With days left until the crucial 2024 election, candidates in California’s razor-thin 13th Congressional District are aiming to move voters to their side.
Rachel Livinal
The Merced FOCUS
At a debate held Friday at the Modesto State Theatre, Republican Rep. John Duarte announced he had earlier in the day introduced a new proposal offering comprehensive immigration reform.
It was among the key issues highlighting the lively 90-minute debate against Democrat Adam Gray. Audience members held popcorn as they took their seats in the nearly packed State Theatre.
Although debate sponsors urged audience members to keep their noise to a minimum throughout the night, the debate elicited emotive responses from the crowd, resulting in applause, hoots, and the occasional groan from candidates as they took in each others’ responses to questions from the moderators.
The debate was sponsored by the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Capital Public Radio, KVPR, The Maddy Institute and UC Merced Center for …