Jeff Denham
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham (born July 29, 1967) is the U.S. Representative
for . 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 was the second lowest paid State Senator because he refused pay raises.http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12921081p-13578324c.html Denham announced he would be a candidate for California's Lieutenant Governor in 2010 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. Denham subsequently running 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 in December of 2009.
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
.
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 http://vote2000.sos.ca.gov/Returns/close.html. Salinas defeated Denham by more than 11,000 votes, or almost 9% http://vote2000.sos.ca.gov/Returns/stasm/2800.htm.
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 http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5148192p-6157185c.html. The race was one of the most expensive legislative races in state history with over $6,300,000 dollars spent http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5090148p-6096517c.html. 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.http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5090148p-6096517c.html
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, Denham 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
's "Gold Award" in 2005.
Denham served on the Agriculture; Business, Professions & Economic Development; Education; and Veterans Affairs committees.
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.
announced he wouldn't run again in 2010 due to health reasons. He endorsed Denham as his successor even though he lives outside the district (his home in Merced is located in the neighboring 18th District
, represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
) and his state senate district includes only two counties in the congressional district.
In the Republican primary--the real contest in this heavily Republican district--Denham won narrowly, taking 36 percent of the vote to 30 percent for former Fresno
mayor Jim Patterson. 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 64.6% to 35.2%.
Denham has been married to his wife Sonia for fourteen years and has two children, eleven year-old Austin and nine year-old Samantha.
|+ California Assembly District 28
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2000
|
| |Jeff Denham
| align="right" |54,729
| |44%
|
| |
| align="right" |66,011
| |53%
|
| |JJ Vogel
| |Reform
| |2,891
| |2%
|
| |Roger Ver
| |Libertarian
| |2,134
| |2%
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ California Senate District 12
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2002
|
| |
| align="right" |73,877
| |48%
|
| |Rusty Areias
| align="right" |72,034
| |47%
|
| |David Eaton
| |Libertarian
| |6,950
| |5%
|
|-
|2006
|
| |
| align="right" |90,288
| |58%
|
| |Wiley Nickel
| align="right" |65,130
| |42%
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2010
|
| |
| align="right" |128,394
| |65%
|
| |Loraine Goodwin
| align="right" |69,912
| |35%
|
| |Les Marsden
| |Independent
| |596
| |0%
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
He previously served two terms in the California State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
, representing the 12th District
California's 12th State Senate district
California's 12th State Senate District is one of 40 Senate Districts. It is currently represented by Republican Anthony Cannella of Ceres.-District profile:...
, which includes Madera
Madera County, California
Madera County is a county of the U.S. state of California, located in the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County. It comprises the Madera-Chowchilla, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865...
, Merced
Merced County, California
Merced County , is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose. As of the 2010 census, the population was 255,793, up from 210,554 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Merced...
, Monterey
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
, San Benito
San Benito County, California
San Benito County is a county located in the Coast Range Mountains of the U.S. state of California, south of San Jose. As of 2010 the population was 55,269. The county seat is Hollister, which includes nearly two-thirds of the county's population. El Camino Real passes through the county and...
and Stanislaus
Stanislaus County, California
Stanislaus County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. As the price of housing has increased in the San Francisco Bay Area, many people who work in the southern reaches of the Bay Area have opted for the longer commute and moved to Stanislaus County for the...
counties. Denham was the second lowest paid State Senator because he refused pay raises.http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12921081p-13578324c.html Denham announced he would be a candidate for California's Lieutenant Governor in 2010 but dropped those plans when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
appointed Republican State Senator Abel Maldonado
Abel Maldonado
Abel Maldonado is an American politician who was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of California. On November 23, 2009, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Maldonado as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor to fill the vacancy created by John Garamendi's election to the United States House of...
to fill the vacancy left by former Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi's
John Garamendi
John Raymond Garamendi is the U.S. Representative for , serving since November 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Garamendi was the California State Insurance Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the California State Insurance...
election to Congress. Denham subsequently running for the State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
but dropped those plans as well when he was asked by retiring Republican Congressman George Radanovich
George Radanovich
George Purdy Radanovich is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1995 to 2011. The district includes most of northern Fresno, as well as several rural areas northeast of the city. On December 29, 2009, Radanovich announced he would not seek reelection in 2010...
to run for his open seat in in December of 2009.
Early life, education, and early career
Enlisting at the age of 17, Denham served on active and reserve status for 16 years in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and is a recipient of the meritorious service medal for his service during Operation Desert Storm (Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
). In 2006, he was honored by the California National Guard
California National Guard
The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components and is the largest national guard force in the United States with a total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen...
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
Agriculture in the United States
Agriculture is a major industry in the United States and the country is a net exporter of food. As of the last census of agriculture in 2007, there were 2.2 million farms, covering an area of , an average of per farm.-History:...
.
2000 run for State Assembly
Denham ran for the California State AssemblyCalifornia State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
against Salinas City Councilman Simon Salinas
Simon Salinas
Simon Salinas is a California politician. He was a member of the California State Assembly district 28 from 2000-2006. His district included all of Salinas and Watsonville. Before going to the Assembly, Salinas was a County Supervisor, a City Council Member, a community college instructor, and an...
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 http://vote2000.sos.ca.gov/Returns/close.html. Salinas defeated Denham by more than 11,000 votes, or almost 9% http://vote2000.sos.ca.gov/Returns/stasm/2800.htm.
2002 run for State Senate
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.http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5192590p-6201114c.html Denham won the race by about 1.3% or 1,843 votes.http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2002_general/state_senate.pdf Denham managed a close victory in a seat where the Democrats had an almost 15% advantage in registration.http://www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/senplan/SD12.HTMThe race featured many negative political ads and those negative political ads appear to have allowed Jeff Denham to win against the more experienced Areias http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5148192p-6157185c.html. The race was one of the most expensive legislative races in state history with over $6,300,000 dollars spent http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5090148p-6096517c.html. 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.http://www.modbee.com/2002/election/november/state/story/5090148p-6096517c.html
Tenure as State Senator
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
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is a political organization that helped sponsor Proposition 13 in California in 1978.It was founded by California Republican Howard Jarvis. The organization has outlived its founder, and continues to operate to the present day under the same name, opposing all...
and a 100% perfect score with the California Taxpayers’ Association for his voting record.
In addition, Denham 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
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
's "Gold Award" in 2005.
Denham served on the Agriculture; Business, Professions & Economic Development; Education; and Veterans Affairs committees.
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
Don Perata
Don Richard Perata is a California Democratic politician, who was President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008. He came in second place in the November 2010 ballot for Mayor of Oakland...
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
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
against Denham. The California Secretary of State
California Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of California is the chief elections officer of that U.S. state. The Secretary of State is also responsible for the California State Archives, as well as chartering corporations. The Secretary of State is elected to four year terms, concurrent with the other constitutional...
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.
2010 Congressional campaign
In December 2009, seven-term U.S. Congressman George RadanovichGeorge Radanovich
George Purdy Radanovich is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1995 to 2011. The district includes most of northern Fresno, as well as several rural areas northeast of the city. On December 29, 2009, Radanovich announced he would not seek reelection in 2010...
announced he wouldn't run again in 2010 due to health reasons. He endorsed Denham as his successor even though he lives outside the district (his home in Merced is located in the neighboring 18th District
California's 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the northern San Joaquin Valley and includes the cities of Modesto, Stockton, Ceres, Atwater, Merced and Los Banos...
, represented by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
Dennis Cardoza
Dennis A. Cardoza is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district takes in a large swath of the Central Valley, from Stockton to Fresno. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
) and his state senate district includes only two counties in the congressional district.
In the Republican primary--the real contest in this heavily Republican district--Denham won narrowly, taking 36 percent of the vote to 30 percent for former Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
mayor Jim Patterson. 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 64.6% to 35.2%.
Personal life
He 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.
Electoral history
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"|+ California Assembly District 28
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2000
|
| |Jeff Denham
| align="right" |54,729
| |44%
|
| |
| align="right" |66,011
| |53%
|
| |JJ Vogel
| |Reform
| |2,891
| |2%
|
| |Roger Ver
| |Libertarian
| |2,134
| |2%
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ California Senate District 12
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2002
|
| |
| align="right" |73,877
| |48%
|
| |Rusty Areias
| align="right" |72,034
| |47%
|
| |David Eaton
| |Libertarian
| |6,950
| |5%
|
|-
|2006
|
| |
| align="right" |90,288
| |58%
|
| |Wiley Nickel
| align="right" |65,130
| |42%
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!Third Party
!Party
!Votes
!Pct
|-
|2010
United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2010
The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2010 were held on November 2, 2010 to determine who would represent California's various congressional districts in the United States House of Representatives. In the 112th Congress, California has 53 seats in the House,...
|
| |
| align="right" |128,394
| |65%
|
| |Loraine Goodwin
| align="right" |69,912
| |35%
|
| |Les Marsden
| |Independent
| |596
| |0%
External links
- Congressman Jeff Denham official U.S. House site
- Jeff Denham for Congress official campaign site
- Jeff Denham Political History
- http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12921081p-13578324c.html
- Jeff Denham recall (2008) on Ballotpedia.