Garth Stapley / The Modesto Focus

Former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln (left), a Republican candidate for District 13 in the Valley, was endorsed by President Donald Trump (center) on Truth Social Dec. 18, 2025. Lincoln is among three Republicans running against Democratic Rep. Adam Gray (right) in the 2026 midterms for the highly contested House seat.

Trump endorses former Stockton mayor to run against Rep. Adam Gray for House seat

President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in his bid to unseat Rep. Adam Gray in next year’s campaign for California’s 13th Congressional District.

Leontina Pereira of Turlock casts her ballot outside of the Stanislaus County Registrar's Office in downtown Modesto on election day, Nov. 4, 2025, as her granddaughter registers inside and votes for the first time.

Government & Politics

Prop. 50 could nudge Stanislaus and Merced counties to the political left, experts say

Garth Stapley / The Modesto Focus

Voters in Stanislaus and Merced counties showed less enthusiasm for Proposition 50 than elsewhere in California – to no one’s surprise.

Legacy Alliance Outreach founder Michael Baldwin (right) is pictured with Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie in a January 27, 2021 department Facebook post.

Government & Politics

Modesto prison reentry program Legacy Alliance and its founder face FBI investigation

Garth Stapley / The Modesto Focus

The meteoric rise in recent years of Legacy Alliance Outreach, a nonprofit once idolized by elected and civic leaders in Modesto and Stanislaus County and backed by millions of dollars in public money, stands in stark contrast to its dramatic fall.

Modesto Irrigation District Director Larry Byrd (left) attends a regular board meeting Aug. 12, 2025.

Government & Politics

Modesto Irrigation District director accused of water theft, board will investigate

Garth Stapley / The Modesto Focus

Allegations against Director Larry Byrd feed into ongoing east versus west Stanislaus water feud.