Grower Duarte wins Calif. congressional seatGrower Duarte wins Calif. congressional seat

In one of the last congressional races decided this fall, San Joaquin Valley grape and almond grower John Duarte has narrowly won a U.S. congressional seat representing the region.

Duarte, a Republican, defeated Democrat by 584 votes, 50.2% to 49.8%, with all precincts reporting as of Dec. 2.

With Duarte's victory, Republicans will hold 221 seats next year, Democrats 213, with one Colorado race undecided and going to a recount, notes The Associated Press.

Duarte said in a statement, according to AP: “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.”

Duarte's priorities included obtaining adequate water supplies for farmers in the parched valley along with addressing inflation and crime, AP notes.

Gray is a state assemblyman.