George Radanovich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| George Radanovich | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Lehman |
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| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ethie Radanovich |
| Children | King Radanovich |
| Residence | Mariposa, California |
| Alma mater | California Polytechnic State University |
| Occupation | banker, construction worker, vineyard owner |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
George P. Radanovich (born June 20, 1955) is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995, representing the 19th Congressional District of California. (map) The district includes most of northern Fresno, as well as several rural areas northeast of the city.
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[edit] Background
Radanovich was born in Mariposa, California to a Roman Catholic family of Croatian extraction[1]. He was educated at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After college, he performed a variety of jobs, including work as a banker, substitute teacher, and consturction worker.
Radanovich began growing grapes in his native Mariposa County in 1982, after observing a microclimate in the area suitable for their growth. In 1986, he opened the Radanovich Winery, the first winery in the region. He was a member of the Mariposa County board of supervisors from 1988 to 1992, serving as chairman in 1991. He first ran for Congress in 1992 after his home in Mariposa was shifted to the 19th District, and lost in the Republican primary to Fresno businessman Tal Cloud.
[edit] 1994 Election
Radanovich defeated Michael Der Manouel Jr and Ron Gulke in the Republican primary in 1994. It was a spirited race in which Radanovich and Der Manouel exchanged barbs.
In the general election, Radanovich faced six-term incumbent Democrat Richard H. Lehman in the following November election. Lehman had only defeated Cloud by 1,100 votes in the previous election cycle, and speculation had abounded that the 19th would not stay Democratic for long. Radanovich defeated Lehman by a shocking 17-point margin (56 percent to Lehman's 39 percent). It was one of the largest margins of defeat for an incumbent in a cycle that saw many tenured Democrats lose their seats.
[edit] 2006 Election
He ran against Chemical Engineer T. J. Cox, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Cox was arguably Radanovich's most serious and well-funded challenger since his 1994 election. However, Michael Der Manouel Jr. commented on Cox's chances for election by saying, "Cox could spend $10 million and Nancy Pelosi could spend another $10 million and Congressman Radanovich wouldn't lose." Radanovich was reelected with 60% of the vote in 2006 and was unopposed for reelection in 2008 in what is now considered one of the most Republican districts in California.
[edit] Votes and positions
As is typical of most Republicans elected in 1994, Radanovich's voting record is strongly conservative. He was president of the Republican freshman class of 1994, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge[2], and is a member of the Republican Study Committee.
- October 6, 2005: Voted for the Department of Homeland Security.[2]
- December 14 2005: Voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act.
- June 16, 2006: Voted to reject timetables for withdrawal from Iraq.
- September 29, 2008: Voted for the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008" (Paulson Bailout Bill).
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] Caucuses
- Water Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Wine Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Croatian Caucus (Co-Chair)
[edit] Family
He is married to Ethie Radanovich; and they have one son, King.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman George Radanovich official House site
- George Radanovich at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Federal Election Commission — George Radanovich campaign finance reports and data
- On the Issues — George Radanovich issue positions and quotes
- OpenSecrets.org — George Radanovich campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart — Representative George P. Radanovich (CA) profile
- SourceWatch Congresspedia — George Radanovich profile
- Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: George Radanovich voting record
- George Radanovich official campaign site
- Jim Boren, The Fresno Bee, Published on May 25, 1994, Page B3, Article 8
- Is Radanovich vulnerable? Jim Boren, The Fresno Bee, February 18, 2006
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by Richard H. Lehman |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 19th congressional district 1995– |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
