• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Valley Citizen

Pursuing truth toward justice

The Valley Citizen

Pursuing truth toward justice
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Environment
  • History
  • Nature
  • Politics
  • Wit
  • About

Flash! Harder to Run in 9, Adam Gray in 13

January 18, 2022 By Eric Caine 8 Comments

In a stunning move brought about by the tumult resulting from redistricting in California, Josh Harder just announced he will now be running for Congress in California District 9, a slot previously designated for Representative Jerry McNerney, who is stepping down.

Harder had only recently announced for District 13, which includes a large swath of Adam Gray’s current Assembly District. Persistent rumors have circulated that Gray was also thought well-suited for that district, but Harder had declared first. A recent Tweet had Gray announcing a run against Harder, but Gray disowned the Tweet. Now, however, he will indeed run in District 13.

Today, Harder announced via social media he was declaring for District 9. Insiders immediately began speculating that Democratic Party power players had brokered a deal that would put two rising Dem stars in position to capitalize on their experience and popularity.

Josh Harder and Sue Zwahlen Modesto 6 April 21
Josh Harder with Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen

In 2006, McNerney rocked the political world when he upset seven-term incumbent Richard Pombo, a Republican most observers thought invulnerable. Since then, McNerney has been a steady and responsive representative for his district. As of today, he had not yet filed for another run. It’s now apparent he was planning to retire from office.

Gray would have termed out of his Assembly position in 2024. It seems likely the Democratic Party did not want to lose a popular leader, especially in a region where Democrats struggle. McNerney’s withdrawal opened the way for two rising young stars  with a proven ability to win.

Like McNerney, Harder upset a powerful Republican when he defeated Jeff Denham in 2018. With a strong record of bipartisan achievement and a position on the Appropriations Committee, Harder has shown a remarkable ability to connect with people across the entire political spectrum.

Gray has been proactive in the water wars that have dominated the political environment of California since statehood. A staunch defender of his constituents’ rights to water, he’s been a dominant winner in every Assembly campaign he’s joined.

Now, both Harder and Gray have the opportunity to continue their good work for the San Joaquin Valley in Washington D.C. They still face arduous campaigns, but both have been tested repeatedly and emerged victorious. Their win is also a win for the Valley.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Adam Gray, Adam Gray for Congress, Assembly Member Adam Gray, Congressman Josh Harder, Josh Harder

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. frank says

    January 18, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    Now we need some good news for Modesto and McClintock won’t be!!

    Reply
  2. Frances Lopez says

    January 19, 2022 at 6:11 am

    Interesting turn of events. I unfortunately reside in the new 5th Congressional District, a Republican stronghold that Rep. McClintock seeks to retain. I will miss the strong leadership and advocacy Josh Harder brought to Modesto.

    Reply
  3. Damon Woods says

    January 19, 2022 at 7:19 am

    So, Harder moves to a new district where he doesn’t live. and you folks are ok with this? Loyalty is non existent in this arena. So, who is running in the 10th district. Well, if you left wing folks keep it up, most of us who pay most of the taxes will move and you can have the left coast.

    Reply
    • Colleen says

      January 25, 2022 at 11:44 am

      Congressional representatives do not have to live in the district they represent.
      The 10th district now includes Bethel Island and Contra Cista county west all the way to Orinda.
      You can find pdfs of each new district at http://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/final_maps

      Reply
  4. Kent Mitchell says

    January 19, 2022 at 9:24 am

    Well Adam Gray is a “staunch defender of his constituent’s right to water”, but who is to stand up for our rivers that are being so depleted, and the wildlife that depends on them?

    Reply
    • Eric Caine says

      January 19, 2022 at 10:03 am

      Excellent question Kent. After over forty years of trying to defend our local environment and wildlife, I’ve learned that there are not enough voters who care. Politician after politician has told me that there just isn’t a significant constituency in favor of living rivers, vibrant wetlands, and riparian forests. The San Joaquin Valley is one of the most distressed environments in America, and there is no sign things will get any better soon.

      Reply
      • JO says

        February 5, 2022 at 10:46 pm

        Right on, Eric. Yes, the San Joaquin Valley is definitely one of the most distressed environments in America. When I hear people talk about their water rights I have to as: Who actually has water rights? Water is life for everyone, not just for making money in ag. The tide might be turning.

        Reply
  5. Al Lucchesi says

    January 19, 2022 at 9:52 am

    My question who will be in primary election for Democrats in 5th Co

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Note: Some comments may be held for moderation.

Primary Sidebar

Off The Wire

?Monster Fracks? Are Getting Far Bigger. And Far Thirstier.
“Monster Fracks” Are Getting Far Bigger. And Far Thirstier.
A Times analysis shows that increasingly complex oil and gas wells now require astonishing volumes of water to fracture the bedrock and release fossil fuels, threatening America’s fragile aquifers.
www.nytimes.com
Newsom urges SCOTUS to consider encampment ruling that has 'paralyzed' California cities
Newsom urges SCOTUS to consider encampment ruling that has ‘paralyzed’ California cities
The Democratic governor’s intervention lays down a mark in a legal dispute with potentially profound implications for one of California’s most pressing issues.
www.politico.com
Clarence Thomas Secretly Participated in Koch Network Donor Events
Clarence Thomas Secretly Participated in Koch Network Donor Events
Thomas has attended at least two Koch donor summits, putting him in the extraordinary position of having helped a political network that has brought multiple cases before the Supreme Court.
www.propublica.org
How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state
How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state
How bad is hunger in California? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but now is being reduced.
calmatters.org
Sacramento DA sues city over homeless encampments
Sacramento DA sues city over homeless encampments
Sacramento County had nearly 9,300 homeless people in 2022, based on data from the annual Point in Time count. That was up 67% from 2019. Roughly three-quarters of the county’s homeless population….
www.mercurynews.com
At Last, a Real Possibility to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Change
At Last, a Real Possibility to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Change
After decades of minimal action, Congress passed the largest and most comprehensive piece of climate legislation in U.S. history. Will we make the most of this opportunity?
www.audubon.org
How the fentanyl crisis' fourth wave has hit every corner of the US
How the fentanyl crisis’ fourth wave has hit every corner of the US
The epidemic’s staggering scale and infiltration of communities is laid bare in a new study.
www.bbc.com
Can licensed tent villages ease California's homelessness epidemic? This nonprofit thinks so
Can licensed tent villages ease California’s homelessness epidemic? This nonprofit thinks so
Taking people off the street and into tents is a new twist on homeless shelter being explored by the San Francisco-based Urban Alchemy in two tent villages operating in Los Angeles and Culver City.
www.latimes.com
Mississippi has problems, but it's handling homelessness better than L.A.
Mississippi has problems, but it’s handling homelessness better than L.A.
The public tends to blame homelessness on poverty, drug use, crime or even warm weather. But other cities don’t have L.A. levels of street homelessness because they have more available housing.
www.latimes.com
Neo-Nazis March Through Florida Park
Neo-Nazis March Through Florida Park
The demonstrators raised “Heil Hitler” salutes and waved flags with swastikas.
www.thedailybeast.com
Families have high hopes for Gavin Newsom's CARE Courts. Providers want to lower expectations
Families have high hopes for Gavin Newsom’s CARE Courts. Providers want to lower expectations
Gov. Gavin Newsom?s experiment to push Californians with mental illness off the streets and into treatment, CARE Court, starts soon.
calmatters.org
Pope says 'backward' U.S. conservatives have replaced faith with ideology
Pope says ‘backward’ U.S. conservatives have replaced faith with ideology
Pope Francis has blasted the “backwardness” of some conservatives in the U.S. Catholic Church. He says they have replaced faith with ideology and that a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time.
apnews.com

Find us on Facebook

pp
The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Footer

The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Subscribe for Free

* indicates required

Search

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 The Valley Citizen

Dedicated to the memory of John Michael Flint. Contact us at thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Editor and publisher: Eric Caine

Website customization and maintenance by Susan Henley Design