George Radanovich

Last updated
Ethie Weaver
​
​
(m. 1996;died 2010)​
George Radanovich
Radanovich george.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from California's 19th district
In office
January 3, 1995 –January 3, 2011
Children1
Alma mater California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

George Purdy Radanovich (born June 20, 1955) is an American politician and former U.S. Representative for California's 19th congressional district , serving from 1995 to 2011. [1] [2] The district includes most of northern Fresno, as well as several rural areas northeast of the city. He did not seek reelection in 2010. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Contents

Background

Radanovich was born in Mariposa, California to a Catholic family of Croatian extraction. [3]

He was educated at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. [4] After college, he performed a variety of jobs, including work as a banker, substitute teacher, and construction worker. He 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. [5] 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. [6]

Radanovich won the Republican primary in 1994. In the general election, Radanovich faced six-term incumbent Democrat Richard H. Lehman in the following November election. [7] 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). [8] It was one of the largest margins of defeat for an incumbent in a cycle that saw many tenured Democrats lose their seats.

According to Wine Spectator, in 2003 Congressman Radanovich closed Radanovich Winery due to “the tough economic times currently facing many California wineries, the congressman said on Friday. "It has been a painful decision," said Radanovich, 47. "The past six months have been some of the most difficult that I've been through." SFGate reported on this as well saying, “Radanovich cited the current wine oversupply situation facing California vintners, the economic situation and his desire to focus on his job in Washington. The winery's tasting room has closed and some winery inventory will be sold to pay outstanding debts.”

In the 2006 election, Radanovich 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." [9] 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. Cox was later elected to Congress in the 21st district in the 2018 elections.

On December 29, 2009, Radanovich announced he would not seek reelection in 2010. [10]

Life after congress

In 2022, Radanovich ran for California's 4th State Senate district. He was eliminated when he placed third in the primary.

In 2024, Radanovich placed first in the primary election for California's 8th Assembly district

Votes and positions

Radanovich alongside members of the band System of a Down. George Radanovich with Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan.jpg
Radanovich alongside members of the band System of a Down.

He was president of the Republican freshman class of 1994, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, [11] and is a member of the Republican Study Committee.

Committee assignments

Caucuses

Family

He was married to Ethie Weaver Radanovich from November 1996 until her death from ovarian cancer on February 4, 2010. They have one son, King. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom McClintock</span> American politician (born 1956)

Thomas Miller McClintock II is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 5th congressional district since 2009. His district stretches from the Sacramento suburbs to the outer suburbs of Fresno; it includes Yosemite National Park. A member of the Republican Party, McClintock served as a California state assemblyman from 1982 to 1992 and from 1996 to 2000, when he became a California state senator, a position he held until 2008. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of California in the 2003 recall election and for lieutenant governor of California in the 2006 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Cardoza</span> American politician (born 1959)

Dennis Alan Cardoza is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for California's 18th congressional district from 2003 to 2012. The district took in a large swath of the Central Valley, from Stockton to Fresno. He is a member of the Democratic Party. On October 20, 2011, he announced he would retire from Congress at the end of 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Goodlatte</span> American politician (born 1952)

Robert William Goodlatte is an American politician, attorney, and lobbyist who served in the United States House of Representatives representing Virginia's 6th congressional district for 13 terms. A Republican, he was also the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation affecting the federal courts, administrative agencies, and federal law enforcement entities. Goodlatte's district covered Roanoke and also included Lexington, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, and Staunton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Costa</span> American politician (born 1952)

James Manuel Costa is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 21st congressional district since 2023, previously representing the 20th congressional district from 2005 to 2013 and the 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district includes most of Fresno.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Garamendi</span> American businessman & politician (born 1945)

John Raymond Garamendi is an American businessman, politician and member of the Democratic Party who has represented areas of Northern California between San Francisco and Sacramento, including the cities of Fairfield and Vacaville in the United States House of Representatives since 2009. Garamendi was the California insurance commissioner from 1991 to 1995 and 2003 to 2007, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the 46th lieutenant governor of California from 2007 until his election to Congress in late 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Perlmutter</span> American politician (born 1953)

Edwin George Perlmutter is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district was located in the northern and western suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area. He previously served as the Colorado state senator from the 20th district from 1995 to 2003. On January 10, 2022, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Campbell (California politician)</span> American politician (born 1955)

John Bayard Taylor Campbell III is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from California from 2005 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the California State Assembly (2000–2004) and California State Senate (2004–2005). In Congress, Campbell represented the state's 48th congressional district for four terms and 45th congressional district for one term. On June 27, 2013, he announced that he would not seek reelection in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Loebsack</span> American politician (born 1952)

David Wayne Loebsack is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district from 2007 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he also is an emeritus professor of political science at Cornell College, where he had taught since 1982. On April 12, 2019, Loebsack announced he would not seek reelection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Patterson (California politician)</span> American politician from California

James Norwood Patterson is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Republican representing the 23rd district, which encompasses eastern Fresno County, including the cities of Fresno and Clovis, and a small slice of Tulare County. He is the former Mayor of Fresno, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark DeSaulnier</span> American politician (born 1952)

Mark James DeSaulnier is an American politician who has served as a U.S. representative from California since 2015. He has represented the 10th congressional district since 2023, although it was previously numbered the 11th district for his first eight years in office. The district includes most of Contra Costa County, a suburban county in the East Bay. He has been a member of the Democratic Party since 2000; before that, he was a Republican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Denham</span> American politician (born 1967)

Jeffrey John Denham is an American politician, United States Air Force veteran, and businessman. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the U.S. representative for California's 10th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. 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 the 10th district in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Guthrie</span> American politician (born 1964)

Steven Brett Guthrie is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Kentucky's 2nd congressional district since 2009. The district is in central Kentucky and includes Fort Knox, Owensboro, Bowling Green, and a portion of eastern Louisville. Guthrie previously served as a Republican member of the Kentucky Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ami Bera</span> American physician & politician (born 1965)

Amerish Babulal "Ami" Bera is an American physician and politician who has been serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from California since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party and represents California's 6th congressional district, which is in Sacramento County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Valadao</span> American politician & farmer (born 1977)

David Goncalves Valadao is an American politician and dairy farmer serving as the U.S. representative for California's 22nd congressional district since 2023. His district comprises part of the San Joaquin Valley. A member of the Republican Party, Valadao first won election in 2012 in California's 21st congressional district, defeating Democratic nominee John Hernandez. He was reelected in 2022, defeating Democrat Rudy Salas. Before his election to Congress, Valadao served one term in the California State Assembly, representing the 30th district from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salud Carbajal</span> American politician (born 1964)

Salud Ortiz Carbajal is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 24th congressional district since 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and his district covers Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Panetta</span> American politician (born 1969)

James Varni Panetta is an American lawyer, politician, and former Navy intelligence officer from the state of California. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the U.S. representative for California's 19th congressional district. Formerly his district was numbered the 20th congressional district. His current district includes southeast San Jose and much of California's Central Coast, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Paso Robles to the south. Panetta was first elected in 2016, after working as a deputy district attorney for Monterey County. He is the son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and holds the same congressional seat his father once held.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vicente Gonzalez (politician)</span> American politician (born 1967)

Vicente Gonzalez Jr. is an American lawyer and politician who serves as the United States representative for Texas's 34th congressional district since 2023 and served as the representative for Texas's 15th congressional district from 2017 to 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Harder</span> American politician (born 1986)

Joshua Keck Harder is an American politician and venture capital investor who has served as the U.S. representative from California's 9th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Denham in the 2018 election by five points. In 2020, he was reelected by a significantly larger margin than in 2018. He won reelection to California's new 9th congressional district, created through the 2020 redistricting process, which includes the majority of San Joaquin County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TJ Cox</span> American politician (born 1963)

Terrance John Cox is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for California's 21st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. The son of Chinese American and Filipino American parents, Cox was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, he was defeated in his 2020 rematch with Republican David Valadao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 California's 21st congressional district election</span>

The 2018 election for California's 21st congressional district was held on November 6, 2018, during the 2018 elections to the U.S. House of Representatives to determine who would represent California's 21st congressional district. The district, centered in the San Joaquin Valley, represents parts of Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County and Tulare County. It was represented by the incumbent, Republican David Valadao, since 2013.

References

  1. ↑ "George Radanovich, former Representative for California's 19th Congressional District - GovTrack.us". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. ↑ "RADANOVICH, George P." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Archived from the original on 1999-09-02.
  3. ↑ "Untitled Page". Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ "Bedwell leaving CFFA, Radanovich named replacement". Peninsula Packaging. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Congressman Radanovich Shuts Down His California Winery | News | News & Features | Wine Spectator". WineSpectator.com. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  6. ↑ "Former U.S. Rep Radanovich To Speak At Farm Forums". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  7. ↑ "1994 Elections".
  8. ↑ "Radanovich Winery". Gold Medal Wine Club. Archived from the original on 2017-08-29.
  9. ↑ "Radanovich In Trouble?". FlashReport. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  10. ↑ Merl, Jean (2009-12-30). "California's Rep. George Radanovich to step down". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  11. ↑ Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ Staff. "U.S. Congress Votes Database - The Washington Post". Projects.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  13. ↑ "California Fresh Fruit Association picks new leader". western FarmPress. 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  14. ↑ "ABOUT THE WINE CAUCUS". Congressional Wine Caucus. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  15. ↑ "(E) CONGRESSIONAL CROATIAN CAUCUS". www.croatia.org. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  16. ↑ "Ethie (Weaver) Radanovich's Obituary on Modesto Bee". Modesto Bee. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 19th congressional district
1995–2011		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.