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.