John Duarte (politician)

John Scott Duarte (born September 9, 1966) is an American politician, businessman, nurseryman, and pistachio farmer. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the U.S. representative for California's 13th congressional district since 2023.

California's 13th congressional district was considered a competitive race that would help determine control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections. His election was the second-closest in the nation, behind Lauren Boebert's election in Colorado's 3rd congressional district.

Early life and education
Duarte was born on September 9, 1966, in Modesto, California, to Jim and Anita Duarte. He is of Portuguese ancestry. Duarte graduated from the University of the Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business with an MBA and a bachelor's degree in finance from San Diego State University in 1989.

Early career
In 1989, Duarte began his career as a vice president of sales for Duarte Trees & Vines, which was founded by his parents in 1988. In 2007, he became the company's chief executive officer and president.

In 2017, Duarte was ordered to pay a $2.8 million government fine after the United States Army Corps of Engineers claimed that he had violated the Clean Water Act by plowing a field to plant wheat on his property in Tehama County.

2022
On March 9, 2022, Duarte launched a campaign to represent California's 13th congressional district after the 2020 United States redistricting cycle created a new district based in the Central Valley. He and state Assemblyman Adam Gray advanced to the general election. He defeated Gray in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections by 564 votes in an upset. He was declared the winner on December 3, 2022, almost a month after the election.

Tenure
Duarte was sworn into office on January 3, 2023. He supported Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

In October 2023, Duarte said that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy should be reinstated as Speaker due to the unrest in Israel changing the political dynamics and stakes in the U.S. House. After McCarthy's ouster, Duarte supported Steve Scalise as the nominee. Once Scalise dropped out, Duarte voted for Jim Jordan on the House floor.

Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:
 * Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology
 * Subcommittee on Forestry
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
 * Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries
 * Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
 * Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Political positions
Duarte has said "I don't care about party politics" and that "I'll stand against 'the woke.' I'll stand against the ultra-conservatives."

Building new infrastructure to secure water for the San Joaquin Valley is one of Duarte's top priorities.

Abortion
In 2023, Duarte was one of two Republicans to vote against the Ronny Jackson amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services.

LGBT rights
In 2023, Duarte was the only Republican to vote against the Matt Rosendale amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would prohibit TRICARE from covering and the Department of Defense from furnishing sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals.

Confederate Naming Commission
Duarte was one of 41 Republicans to vote against the Bob Good amendment to H.R. 2670: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would defund a congressionally mandated commission tasked with renaming Army bases and military property named in honor of Confederate leaders.

Immigration
Duarte has described himself as "immigration fluid", meaning that he both supports greater border security but also recognizes that agriculture depends on farmworkers who lack legal immigration status. He has said only a bipartisan approach will effectively address immigration issues.

In 2023, Duarte was one of two Republicans who voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. He called the E-Verify program "devastating for farmers."

Duarte is a sponsor of the Farm Worker Modernization Act which seeks to boost foreign worker availability in the U.S., with benefits to both employers and laborers.

Duarte supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Israel
Duarte voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Personal life
Duarte lives with his wife, Alexandra, on a pistachio and almond farm outside of Modesto in rural Stanislaus County. They have four children. Duarte is an Episcopalian.