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 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[2]
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 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

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

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

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

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

Denham is running for re-election in 2016. No Republicans have filed to challenge him in the primary. The sole Democrat to file for the race is Michael Eggman, whom Denham defeated in 2014.^[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

• 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.^[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

1. "Jeff Denham (R)". Election 2012 (Wall Street Journal). Retrieved 2 March 2016.
2. "Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.)". Roll Call. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
3. Goldmacher, Shane (April 4, 2008). "Ex-assemblyman will challenge Sen. Denham in recall campaign". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
4. Miller, Jim (November 14, 2002). "Denham says victory in 12th is guaranteed". Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on April 27, 2003. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
5. "Negative ads apparently paid off, as shown by Denham-Areias tilt". Archived from the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2007.
6. Caldwell, Michelle (October 17, 2002). "Rusty Areias takes another shot at the State Senate". Monterrey County Now. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
7. "CA State Senate 12". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
8. "CA State Senate 12". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
9. Richman, Josh (June 3, 2008). "The Jeff Denham recall is a flop". Political Blotter (Bay Area News Group). Retrieved 2 March 2016.
10. "Jeff Denham announces run for lieutenant governor". The Sacramento Bee. December 11, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
11. "Sen. John McCain endorses Jeff Denham for lt. governor". The Californian. May 12, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
12. Goldmacher, Shane (November 24, 2009). "Schwarzenegger taps Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
13. "Breaking down the Maldonado confirmation vote". Political Blotter. April 26, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
14. "Denham quits Lt. Gov. race, will vie for Berryhill's assembly seat". The Modesto Bee. December 10, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
15. "Senator Jeff Denham Drops out of Lt. Gov. Race". ABC News. December 10, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
16. "Jeff Denham Path to Power". WhoRunsGov (The Washington Post). August 21, 2012.
17. "Jeff Denham Biography" (PDF). Victory Valley College. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
18. "Jeff Denham". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
19. Blake, Aaron (2009-12-29). "Radanovich to retire". The Hill. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
20. "CA District 19 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
21. "CA - District 19". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
22. "CA - District 10 - Open Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
23. Trygstad, Kyle (October 13, 2011). "Astronaut Challenging Freshman Jeff Denham". Roll Call. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
24. Caine, Eric (June 6, 2014). "Election Post-Mortem". The Valley Citizen. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
25. Barragan Ruiz, Olivia (June 10, 2014). "Eggman lands a spot on ballot Latino Democrat will face Jeff Denham in November". Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
26. "House Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
27. "Statement of the Vote November 4, 2014" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
28. French, Lauren (February 11, 2016). "House Democrats pick top Republican targets". Politico. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
29. "Voting With Party". Open Congress. Sunlight Foundation. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
30. Parni, Tarini (19 July 2012). "Lawmakers: GSA spent $270K on event". Politico. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
31. Richard Simon (October 27, 2013). "Immigration: California Republican Rep. Denham backs overhaul bill". LA Times. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
32. "Jeff Denham The Issues". WhoRunsGov (The Washington Post). Retrieved 17 August 2012.
33. Foley, Elise (August 1, 2014). "House Votes To Strip Deportation Relief From Dreamers". Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
34. Parsons, Larry (2012-07-27). "Salinas fire won't disrupt Denham Plastics operations, congressman says". Monterey Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
35. Skelton, George (2008-03-31). "Recall is polluting spring air". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
36. "Meet Rep. Jeff Denham". House of Representatives. Retrieved 17 August 2012.

External links

• Congressman Jeff Denham official U.S. House site
• Jeff Denham for Congress
• 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