Jeff Denham (R-CA-19)

Jeff Denham California District 19

Jeff Denham, Biography from House.gov

Biography of Congressman Jeff Denham

Representative Jeff Denham represents the 19th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives. His district covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties. He was elected in November 2010, and will serve his first term in the 112th session of Congress.

Rep. Denham’s public service career began with the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 16 years between active duty and reserve status. He fought in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Iraq and Somalia, respectively.

After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Rep. Denham worked in the agriculture industry as an almond rancher and entrepreneur. He understands the critical importance of agriculture business in cultivating California’s economy and maintaining employment.

In his work as a California State Senator from 2002-2010, Rep. Denham focused on balancing run-away spending in California and protecting taxpayer dollars from wasteful state projects. He was a proven and courageous leader in the California Senate, where he gained renown for his refusal to vote on irresponsible budget proposals.

First and foremost, Rep. Denham is a family man. Jeff and Sonia Denham have been married for 17 years, and they have two children.

In his new position as a U.S. Congressman, Rep. Denham will continue to focus on representing the long-term interests of California’s agricultural businesses, finding a solution to the long struggle over water storage and conveyance, transportation interests in California, and fighting for the rights, protections and benefits America’s brave and heroic veterans deserve.

Biography from Denham for Congress

Ag and Business Background

After graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Senator Denham began working in the agriculture field, where he has since started several successful agriculture-based businesses.

A successful businessman and Central Valley almond ranch owner, Senator Denham has focused his efforts on growing California’s economy and keeping jobs in our state, while also improving the state’s long-term climate for agriculture and business and working to expand water storage.

Jeff Denham has also been a leading voice in the effort to bring fiscal accountability to Sacramento by reforming and balancing the state budget. His “A” rating from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association demonstrates his commitment to protect taxpayers.

Public Service

Senator Jeff Denham was elected to California’s sprawling 12th Senate District in November of 2002, representing the valley counties of Stanislaus, Madera, Merced, as well as the counties of Monterey, and San Benito counties.   In 2006, voters re-elected Jeff Denham by a landslide margin.

In 2008, Senator Denham refused to vote for a bloated and out of balance state budget. Liberal special interest groups retaliated by organizing and funding a recall campaign against Denham. Voters in his district rewarded Denham for his principled stand by rejecting the recall by a  stunning 76% of the vote.

Military Service

At the age of 17, Senator Denham enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served on active and reserve status for 16 years. He is a recipient of the meritorious service medal for his service in Operation Desert Storm (Iraq) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia).  Denham was awarded the “Order of  California” for exceptional meritorious service by the California National Guard; the highest award possible given for distinguished service.

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