John Duarte holds an MBA from the University of the Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business and a bachelor's degree in finance from San Diego State University. He began his career in 1989 as vice president of sales for Duarte Trees & Vines, eventually becoming its chief executive officer and president in 2007. Duarte's professional experience includes managing a significant agricultural enterprise, which involved navigating complex regulatory environments. Currently, he resides with his family on a pistachio and almond farm in rural Stanislaus County.

John Duarte defies conventional party allegiances, positioning himself as a counter to both progressive and ultra-conservative movements. His emphasis on building new infrastructure to secure water for the San Joaquin Valley underscores a highly localized approach to policymaking, balancing regional economic interests with broader environmental concerns. Duarte's stance reveals a strategic tension between addressing environmental regulations and protecting local agricultural livelihoods.