Local Politics
Early returns from California's 13th Congressional District show Rep. Adam Gray (D-Merced) leading Republican challenger Kevin Lincoln approximately 60.7% to 39.3%, according to the Secretary of State Office. About 42% of expected votes had been counted as of 8:55 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2026. The district encompasses parts of Patterson, Modesto, Turlock, Atwater, Merced, Madera, French Camp and Stockton. Gray, a former California Assemblymember who won the seat in 2024 by 187 votes, benefited from redistricting under Proposition 50. Lincoln, a former Stockton mayor and pastor, received roughly $400,000 in contributions from Grow the Majority PAC.
Local Politics · Fresno, CA
State Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria held approximately 63.6% of counted votes against Republican Darin Dupont's 36.4% in the California State Senate District 14 race as of 8:55 p.m. Nov. 3, with 89,277 votes tallied. The district covers southern Fresno, western Fresno County, and parts of Madera and Merced counties. Dupont said it was too early to call the race, citing heavy turnout in Merced County. Soria, a former Fresno City Councilmember serving as Assemblymember since 2022, faces Dupont, a Merced City Council member and attorney campaigning on affordability issues.
Local Politics · Fresno County
Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco held approximately 62.8% of the vote against Republican Mike Murphy's 37.2% with nearly 55,000 votes counted as of 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the race for California Assembly District 27. The district covers west Fresno County and large parts of Madera and Merced counties. Pacheco, a fourth-generation dairy farmer serving as District 1 Fresno County supervisor since 2015, is endorsed by incumbent Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who is running for the state Senate. Murphy, a former Merced mayor from 2016 to 2020, told The Fresno Bee his team worked hard but acknowledged results were not where they hoped.
Public Safety
The NWS Hanford office issued a dense fog advisory on Tuesday at 8:39 p.m. valid for Wednesday from midnight through 10 a.m. across much of the San Joaquin Valley. Visibility is expected to drop to a quarter mile or less, impacting State Routes 33, 41, 43, 99, 140, 145, 152, 168, 180 and 198. The advisory covers areas including Los Banos, Dos Palos, Merced, Madera, Mendota, Fresno-Clovis, Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Visalia, Porterville, Reedley, Delano, Wasco, Shafter, and Kern County. The NWS urged drivers to slow down, use headlights, and leave extra distance, or avoid driving if possible.
