Jeff Denham

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Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham
Member of the California State Senate
from the 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
2003
Preceded by Dick Monteith
Born 1967
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Alma mater California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Profession Politician, Businessman

Jeffrey "Jeff" Denham (born July 29, 1967) is a Republican politician serving his second term in the California State Senate. Denham represents the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham is the second lowest paid State Senator because he has refused pay raises [1].

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[edit] Background

Enlisting at the age of 17, Jeff served on active and reserve status for 16 years in the United States Air Force and is a recipient of the meritorious service medal for his service in Operation Desert Storm (Iraq) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia). In 2006, he was honored by the California National Guard with its highest military award, the “Order of California” service award, for distinguished service.

After graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Denham chose the agriculture industry for a career and now owns and operates Denham Plastics, the leading supplier of reusable containers in the agriculture industry. He and his family also farm almonds at their ranch in Merced County. Denham has amassed a large fortune from the success of his business ventures.

Denham has been married to his wife Sonia for fourteen years and has two children, eleven year-old Austin and nine year-old Samantha.

[edit] Run for State Assembly

In 2000, Denham ran for the California State Assembly against Simon Salinas as a political novice. Salinas spent $1,270,380 and Denham spent $1,109,466 which combined was one of the more expensive Assembly races of the year [2]. The race was one of the states most competitive. Salinas beat Denham by more than 11,000 vote or almost 9% [3].

[edit] Run for the State Senate

Denham ran for the State Senate in 2002 against Rusty Areias. The election occurred on November 5, 2002 but the close vote count caused the lead in the race to go back and forth for several days [4]. Denham won the race by about .3% or 844 votes [5]. Denham managed a close victory in a seat where the democrats had an almost 15% advantage in registration [6]

The race featured many negative political ads and those negative political ads appear to have allowed Jeff Denham to win against the more experienced Areias [7]. The race was one of the most expensive legislative races in state history with over 6.3 million dollars spent [8]. The Denham campaign attacked Areias for outstanding tax liens. Republicans funded waves of campaign literature and television commercials renewing years-old charges against Areias on a variety of subjects. The Areias campaign ran countless commercials showing Areias with nurses, senior citizens and other supporters, but the campaign also publicized Denham's past arrests [9].

[edit] State Senate

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Denham has focused his efforts on education, agriculture and job creation. He has also been a leading voice in the effort to reduce government waste in Sacramento, better utilize state surplus assets and crack down on sexual predators.

Known for his tough stance against raising taxes, Denham has received several honors including “Legislator of the Year” by the California Small Business Association, an A+ score from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a 100% perfect score with the California Taxpayers’ Association for his voting record.

In addition, Jeff was recognized by the California State Sheriffs’ Association as “Legislator of the Year” in 2004 and “Outstanding Legislator” in 2005, and received the California Teachers Association “Gold Award” in 2005.

Currently, Jeff is the Vice Chairman of Government Organization committee. He also serves on the Agriculture, Business, Professions & Economic Development, Education and Veterans Affairs committees.

[edit] Threat of Recall

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During the 2007 Budget Crisis in California, Senator Denham was the Republican that Democrats targeted to gain the necessary votes to pass the budget. In response to Denham's refusal to vote for the budget on the grounds that it wasn't balanced, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata removed Denham from the Government Organization committee. At the same time, Perata started working with local Democratic parties in the Central Valley to create a petition to call a Recall election against Denham. The Secretary of State certified the petition, and it proponents collected 50,000 signatures before the deadline in February 2008.

California Senate
Preceded by
Dick Monteith		 12th District
2003–Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent

[edit] Recall Failed

On the June 3rd 2008 election, the remove from public office was voted down by the voters and Jeff Denham continues as State Senator for California's Senate District 12.

[edit] External links