Jeff Denham

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Not to be confused with Jeff Dunham.
Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham Official Portrait.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 10th district
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 (age 56)
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[2]
Awards Meritorious Service Medal
Military service
Allegiance United States
Service/branch  United States Air Force
Air Force Reserve Command emblem 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 an American businessman, United States Air Force veteran, and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he is the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district. Denham first won election to the U.S. House in 2010, representing California's 19th congressional district for one term before redistricting led him to run in California's 10th congressional district in 2012.

Prior to seeking political office, Denham served on active and reserve status in the United States Air Force for 16 years, and served in both Operation Desert Storm in Iraq and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. He has worked as a farmer and started a plastics container company to ship produce.[1]

From 2002 to 2010, Denham served in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties.

Early life, education, and military service

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 State Assembly campaign

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Main article: California State Assembly election, 2000 § District 28

In 2000, Denham ran for the California State Assembly against Salinas City Councilman Simon Salinas. Salinas, a Democrat, defeated Denham with 52% of the vote. A total of $2.5 million was spent in the race.[3]

California State Senate

Elections

2002

Denham ran for the State Senate in 2002 against former Democratic 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.[4]

The race featured a number of negative political advertisements and it was one of the most expensive legislative races in state history with over $6.3 million spent.[5] Denham's campaign highlighted Areias's financial difficulties, including unpaid taxes.[6]

Denham won the race 48%–47%, or by 1,843 votes.[7]

2006

Denham won re-election to a second term with 58% of the vote.[8]

2008 recall attempt

In 2008, a recall effort was instigated against Denham by Democrat Don Perata after Denham declined to cast a deadlock-breaking vote on the state budget. Supporters of the recall turned in over 60,000 signatures, and a recall election was scheduled for June 3, 2008. Denham survived the recall election, with 77% of voters casting ballots to retain him.[9]

2008 Lieutenant Governor and State Assembly campaigns

Denham announced in December 2008 that he would be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2010 election,[10][11] ending his campaign 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.[12][13] Denham subsequently campaigned for the State Assembly before being asked by retiring Republican Congressman George Radanovich to run for his open seat in California's 19th congressional district in December 2009.[14][15]

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.[16]

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).[17]

Committee assignments

Denham's committee assignments in the California State Senate included:[18]

  • Business, Professions and Economic Development
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Governmental Organization

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

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Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 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.[19]

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%.[20]

In the 2010 general election, Denham defeated Democrat Loraine Goodwin with 65% of the vote.[21]

2012

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Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 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.[22] The 10th is a swing district with a 25% Hispanic voting age population.[23] Denham won with 53% of the vote to Democratic Hernández's 47%.

2014

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Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2014 § District 10

In 2014, Denham ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Denham was expected to receive media endorsements over his Democratic opponent, Michael Eggman,[24] although his seat was regarded by some as "vulnerable" earlier in the year.[25] The Rothenberg Political Report ultimately listed the race as "Republican Favored."[26] Denham defeated Eggman with 56% of the vote.[27]

2016

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Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2016 § District 10

Denham is running for re-election in 2016. Three other candidates, two Democrats and one Republican, are running in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[28]

Tenure

In the 114th Congress, Denham voted with his party 92.6% of the time.[29]

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.[30]

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."[31]

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.[32]

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.[33]

Committee assignments

Personal life

He owns and operates Denham Plastics, a supplier of reusable containers in the agriculture industry.[34] He and his family also farm almonds at their ranch in Merced County.[35]

Denham and his wife Sonia have two children.[36]

Electoral history

California Assembly District 28
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2000 Jeff Denham 54,729 44% Simon Salinas 66,011 53% JJ Vogel Reform 2,891 2% Roger Ver Libertarian 2,134 2%
California Senate District 12
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2002 Jeff Denham 73,877 48% Rusty Areias 72,034 47% David Eaton Libertarian 6,950 5%
2006 Jeff Denham 90,288 58% Wiley Nickel 65,130 42%
California Congressional District 19 (2010) and 10 (2012-)
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2010 Jeff Denham 128,394 65% Loraine Goodwin 69,912 35% Les Marsden Independent 596 0%
2012 Jeff Denham 110,265 53% José Hernández 98,934 47%

References

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  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 19th congressional district
January 3, 2011 – 2013		 Succeeded by
Zoe Lofgren
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 10th congressional district
January 3, 2013 – present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
240th		 Succeeded by
Scott DesJarlais
R-Tennessee
California Senate
Preceded by 12th District
2002–2010		 Succeeded by
Anthony Cannella
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