Candidate for
State Senator; District 12

Senator Jeff Denham was elected to the California 12th Senate District in November of 2002. Now in his fourth year in office, Senator Denham has focused his efforts on education, agriculture, public safety, and workers' compensation reform. He has been a leading voice in the effort to liquidate surplus state properties and reduce government waste in Sacramento. He serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Vice Chairman of the Government Organization committee. He also serves on the Banking, Finance and Insurance, Education and Veteran's Affairs Committees.

Senator Denham was recognized as "Legislator of the Year" by the California State Sheriffs' Association in 2004 and "Outstanding Legislator" in 2005, "Legislator of the Year" by the California Small Business Association in 2005, "Most Progressive Law Enforcement Leader of the Year" by "A Woman's Place" of Merced in 2005 and received the California Teachers Association's "Gold Award" in 2005.

Senator Denham is an agricultural businessman and Merced rancher who represents Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties.

Enlisting at the age of 17, he served on active and reserve status for 16 years in the Air Force and is a recipient of the meritorious service medal for his service in Operation Desert Storm (Iraq) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia).

After graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, he chose the agriculture industry for a career and now owns and operates Denham Plastics, the leading supplier of reusable containers in the agriculture industry. The company also has an emphasis on innovative plastics solutions including food safety and recycling.

Senator Denham has been married to his wife Sonia for 13 years and has two children, ten year-old Austin and seven year-old Samantha.