Jeff Denham

Jeff Denham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 10th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	John Garamendi
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 19th district
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	George Radanovich
Succeeded by	Zoe Lofgren
Member of the California Senate from the 12th district
In office December 2, 2002 – December 5, 2010
Preceded by	Dick Monteith
Succeeded by	Anthony Cannella
Personal details
Born	Jeffrey John Denham (1967-07-29) July 29, 1967 Hawthorne, California[1]
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Sonia Denham[1]
Residence	Atwater, California
Alma mater	California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo[1]
Profession	Politician, businessman
Religion	Presbyterian[1]
Awards	Meritorious Service Medal
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force U.S. Air Force Reserve
Years of service	1984–1988 (active) 1988–2000 (reserves)
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Battles/wars	Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope

Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham (born July 29, 1967) is the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party.

He previously served two terms in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham announced in December 2008 that he would be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2010 election.^[2][3] but dropped those plans when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Republican State Senator Abel Maldonado to fill the vacancy left by former Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi's election to Congress.^[4][5] Denham subsequently ran for the State Assembly but dropped those plans as well when he was asked by retiring Republican Congressman George Radanovich to run for his open seat in California's 19th congressional district in December 2009.^[6][7]

Early life, education, and agriculture career

Enlisting at the age of 17, Denham 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 during 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 went into the agriculture industry.

2000 run for State Assembly

Denham ran for the California State Assembly against Salinas City Councilman 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.^[8] Salinas defeated Denham by more than 11,000 votes, or almost 9%.^[9]

California Senate

Elections

2002

Denham ran for the State Senate in 2002 against former state Assemblyman 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.^[10]

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.^[11] The race was one of the most expensive legislative races in state history with over $6,300,000 dollars spent.^[12] 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.^[12]

Denham won the race 48%–47%, or by 1,843 votes.^[13][14] Denham managed a close victory in a seat where the Democrats had an almost 15% advantage in registration.^[15]

2006

Denham won re-election to a second term with 58% of the vote.^[16]

2008 recall attempt

During the 2007 Budget Crisis in California, 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 demoted Denham from his position as Vice Chairman of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee. At the same time, Perata started working with local Democratic parties in the Central Valley to create a petition to start a recall election against Denham. The California Secretary of State certified the petition, and its proponents collected 50,000 signatures before the deadline in February 2008.

On the June 3, 2008 election, the voters opposed the recall by a 76%–24% margin, and Denham continued as State Senator for California's 12th State Senate District.

Tenure

During his time in the state legislature, Denham focused his efforts on education, agriculture and job creation. He called for a reduction in government waste in Sacramento, better use of state surplus assets and a crackdown on sexual predators.^[17]

Denham's awards include Legislator of the Year by the California State Sheriffs' Association (2004), Outstanding Legislator by the California State Sheriff's Association (2005), Legislator of the Year by the California Small Business Association (2005), Most Progressive Law Enforcement Leader of the Year by A Woman's Place of Merced (2005), and California Teachers Association Gold Award (2005).^[18]

Committee assignments

• Business, Professions and Economic Development^[19]
• Education^[20]
• Agriculture^[21]
• Veterans Affairs^[22]
• Governmental Organization^[23]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

In December 2009, seven-term U.S. Congressman George Radanovich announced he would retire due to health reasons. He endorsed Denham as his successor.^[24]

In the Republican primary he defeated Fresno mayor Jim Patterson, former U.S. Congressman Richard Pombo, and Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund 36%–31%–21%–12%.^[25] Denham won largely by running up the votes in Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties, as well as Radanovich's home in Mariposa County.

In the 2010 general election, Denham defeated Democrat Loraine Goodwin with 65% of the vote.^[26][27]

2012

After redistricting, Denham decided to run in the newly redrawn California's 10th congressional district. Former NASA astronaut José Hernández ran against him as the Democratic candidate. Both of them lived outside of the CD.^[28] The 10th is a swing district with a 25% Hispanic voting age population.^[29] Denham won with 53% of the vote to Democratic Hernández's 47%.

2014

In 2014 no Republican ran against Denham in the primary. Although Denham is expected to receive media endorsements over his Democratic opponent Michael Eggman,^[30] his seat was regarded by some as "vulnerable" earlier in the year^[30][31] The Rothenberg Political Report, however, now lists the race as "Republican Favored."^[32] He won this election too.

Tenure

In the 112th Congress, Denham voted with his party 95% of the time, and has voted with his party 90% of the time overall.^[33]

In July 2012, he criticized an event put on by the General Services Administration, which cost $268,732. He said that he believes the controversy goes even further than the GSA.^[34]

In October 2013, Denham co-sponsored the comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced by House Democrats. In announcing his support for the bill, he stated: "We can’t afford any more delays. I support an earned path to citizenship to allow those who want to become citizens to demonstrate a commitment to our country, learn English, pay fines and back taxes and pass background checks."^[35]

Denham has argued that the national deficit is the biggest issue, which he called a threat to the nation's freedom. He has stressed his desire to use the economic downturn to reassess and find different ways to drive the United States forward.^[36]

In August 2014, Denham broke ranks with the Republican Party and voted against a bill that would have dismantled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.^[37]

Committee assignments

• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Chairman
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Veterans' Affairs Committee
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
  • Subcommittee on Health
• Agriculture Committee
  • Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit

Personal life

He owns and operates Denham Plastics, a supplier of reusable containers in the agriculture industry.^[38] He and his family also farm almonds at their ranch in Merced County.^[39]

Denham and his wife Sonia have two children.^[40]

Electoral history

References

External links

• Congressman Jeff Denham official U.S. House site
• Jeff Denham for Congress
• Jeff Denham at DMOZ
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress