Jeff Denham

Infobox State Representative


name =Jeff Denham


state_senate =California
district =12th
term_start3 =2003
term_end3 =
preceded3 =Dick Monteith
succeeded3 =Incumbent
nationality =American
date of birth =1967
place of birth =
date of death =
place of death =
spouse =
profession =Politician, Businessman
alma_mater =California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
religion =
party=Republican

Jeffrey "Jeff" Denham (born July 29 1967) is a Republican politician serving his second term in the California State Senate. Denham represents the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham is the second lowest paid State Senator because he has refused pay raises [http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12921081p-13578324c.html] .

Background

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 in 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 chose the agriculture industry for a career and now 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.

Run for State Assembly

In 2000, Denham ran for the California State Assembly against 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] . The race was one of the states most competitive. Salinas beat Denham by more than 11,000 vote or almost 9% [http://vote2000.sos.ca.gov/Returns/stasm/2800.htm] .

Run for the 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.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]

tate Senate

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 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.

Currently, Denham serves on the Agriculture; Business, Professions & Economic Development; Education; and Veterans Affairs committees.

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.

Recall failure

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

External links

* [http://www.senate.ca.gov/denham/ Official Senate Website]
* [http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/4735 Jeff Denham Political History]
*http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12921081p-13578324c.html
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/11/BA0TT9QOF.DTL Perata retaliates against Republican who helped hold up budget]
* [http://www.joinwithjeff.com Website Opposed to the Recall of Senator Denham]
* [http://www.dumpdenham.com Website Supporting the Recall of Senator Denham]
* [http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Jeff_Denham_recall_%282008%29 Jeff Denham recall (2008)] on Ballotpedia.