George Radanovich: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:13, 10 October 2006

Latest revision as of 17:29, 16 May 2025

(222 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Short description|American politician (born 1955)}}

{{Infobox_Congressman

{{Infobox officeholder

| name =George P. Radanovich

|name = George Radanovich

| image name = Radanovich_george.jpg

|image = Radanovich george.jpg

| date of birth= [[June 20]], [[1955]]

|state place of birth= = [[Mariposa, California]]

|district = {{ushr|California|19|19th}}

| death_date =

|term_start = January 3, 1995

| death_place =

|term_end = January 3, 2011

| state = [[California]]

|predecessor = [[Richard H. Lehman|Richard Lehman]]

| district = [[California's 19th congressional district|19th]]

|successor term = [[1995Jeff Denham]] - present

|birthname = George Purdy Radanovich

| preceded = [[Richard H. Lehman]]

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|6|20}}

| succeeded = Incumbent

|birth_place = [[Mariposa, California]], U.S.

| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]

|death_date spouse =

|death_place =

|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]

|spouse = {{marriage|Ethie Weaver|1996|2010|end=died}}

|children = 1

|alma_mater = [[California Polytechnic State University|California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo]]

}}

'''George Purdy Radanovich''' (born June 20, 1955) is an American politician and former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|CA|19}}, serving from 1995 to 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/george_radanovich/400330|title=George Radanovich, former Representative for California's 19th Congressional District - GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=2017-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=r000004|title=RADANOVICH, George P.|website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990902031049/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000004|archive-date=1999-09-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 (United States)|Republican Party]].

'''George P. Radanovich''' (born [[June 20]] [[1955]]) is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] since 1995, representing the 19th District of [[California]]. ([http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/ca19_109.gif map])

==Background==

Radanovich was born in [[Mariposa, California]] to a Catholic family of [[Croatian American|Croatian]] extraction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radanovich.org/bio.html |title=Untitled Page |access-date=2008-08-30 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827180207/http://www.radanovich.org/bio.html |archive-date=August 27, 2008 }}</ref>

He was educated at [[California Polytechnic State University]], [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://peninsulapackaging.com/bedwell-leaving-cffa-radanovich-named-replacement/|title=Bedwell leaving CFFA, Radanovich named replacement|work=Peninsula Packaging|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/US-Congressman-Radanovich-Shuts-Down-His-California-Winery_21614|title=U.S. Congressman Radanovich Shuts Down His California Winery {{!}} News {{!}} News & Features {{!}} Wine Spectator|work=WineSpectator.com|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/grizzlies/news/former-us-rep-radanovich-to-speak-at-farm-forums/c-43379588/t-196093370|title=Former U.S. Rep Radanovich To Speak At Farm Forums|website=MiLB.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-28}}</ref>

Radanovich was born in [[Mariposa, California]] to a Roman Catholic family of Croatian extraction. He was educated at [[California Polytechnic State University]], [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]], and was a bank executive, business owner and member of the [[Mariposa County, California|Mariposa County]] board of supervisors before entering the House. He lost in the Republican primary in 1992 to [[Tal Cloud]].

==1994 Election==

Radanovich won the Republican primary in 1994. In the general election, Radanovich faced six-term incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Richard H. Lehman]] in the following November election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/johnson/1994.htm|title=1994 Elections}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldmedalwineclub.com/winery/radanovich-winery-sierra-foothills-ava|title=Radanovich Winery|website=Gold Medal Wine Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829040644/https://www.goldmedalwineclub.com/winery/radanovich-winery-sierra-foothills-ava|archive-date=2017-08-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was one of the largest margins of defeat for an incumbent in a cycle that saw many tenured Democrats lose their seats.

He 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. He later defeated incumbent congressman [[Richard H. Lehman]] in the following November election. Richard Lehman was considered vulnerable after narrowly defeating [[Tal Cloud]] during the previous election cycle.

==2006 Election==

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.”

He is currently running against Checial Engineer [[T.J.Cox]], who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. It is arguable his most serious and well funded challenger since his 1994 election. Michael Der Manouel Jr. commented on Cox's chances for reelection by saying,"Cox could spend $10 million and [[Nancy Pelosi]] could spend another $10 million and Congressman Radanovich wouldn't lose."

==Family==

In the 2006 election, Radanovich ran against chemical engineer [[TJ Cox|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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.flashreport.org/blog/2005/10/30/radanovich-in-trouble/|title=Radanovich In Trouble?|work=FlashReport|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-30-la-me-radanovich30-2009dec30-story.html|title=California's Rep. George Radanovich to step down|last=Merl|first=Jean|date=2009-12-30|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

He is married to Ethie Radanovich; and they have one son, King.

==Life after congress==

In 2022, Radanovich ran for [[2022 California State Senate election#District 4|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%27s_8th_State_Assembly_district|California's 8th Assembly district]], but lost to fellow Republican [[David Tangipa]] in the general election.

==Votes and positions==

==External links==

*[http://www.radanovich.house.gov/ Official website]

*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/r000004/ Voting record maintained by the Washington Post]

[[file:George Radanovich with Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan.jpg|thumb|Radanovich alongside members of the band [[System of a Down]].]]

*Jim Boren The Fresno Bee, Published on May 25, 1994, Page B3, Article 8

He was president of the Republican freshman class of 1994, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge,<ref>[http://www.atr.org/current-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-th-a2851 Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725024055/http://www.atr.org/current-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-th-a2851 |date=July 25, 2011 }}</ref> and is a member of the [[Republican Study Committee]].

*[http://www.fresnobeehive.com/opinion/2006/02/is_radanovich_worried_about_re.html Is Radanovich Worried About Reelection?]

<br clear="all">

*October 6, 2005: Voted for the Department of Homeland Security.<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress|title=U.S. Congress Votes Database - The Washington Post|publisher=Projects.washingtonpost.com|access-date=2016-11-13}}</ref>

{{start box}}

*December 14, 2005: Voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act.

{{succession box|

*June 16, 2006: Voted to reject timetables for withdrawal from Iraq.

before=[[Richard H. Lehman]]|

*September 29, 2008: Voted for the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008" (Paulson Bailout Bill).

title=[[U.S. Congressional Delegations from California|U.S. Representative from California's 19th Congressional District]]|

years=|

==Committee assignments==

after=Incumbent

*[[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Committee on Energy and Commerce]]

}}

**[[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet|Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet]]

{{end box}}

**[[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection|Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection]] (Ranking Member)

**[[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations|Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations]]

===Caucuses===

* Water Caucus (Co-Chair)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.westernfarmpress.com/orchard-crops/california-fresh-fruit-association-picks-new-leader|title=California Fresh Fruit Association picks new leader|date=2016-06-27|work=western FarmPress|access-date=2017-08-28}}</ref>

* Congressional Wine Caucus (Co-Chair)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://winecaucus-mikethompson.house.gov/about|title=ABOUT THE WINE CAUCUS|date=2013-06-26|work=Congressional Wine Caucus|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en}}</ref>

* Congressional Croatian Caucus (Co-Chair)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/7208/1/E-CONGRESSIONAL-CROATIAN-CAUCUS.html|title=(E) CONGRESSIONAL CROATIAN CAUCUS|website=www.croatia.org|access-date=2017-08-28}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/modestobee/obituary.aspx?n=ethie-radanovich-weaver&pid=139401540|title=Ethie (Weaver) Radanovich's Obituary on Modesto Bee|website=Modesto Bee|access-date=2017-08-28}}</ref>

==References==

<references />

==External links==

*{{C-SPAN|36533}}

*Jim Boren, ''The Fresno Bee'', Published on May 25, 1994, p. B3, article 8

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061020110031/http://www.fresnobeehive.com/opinion/2006/02/is_radanovich_worried_about_re.html Is Radanovich vulnerable?] Jim Boren, ''The Fresno Bee'', February 18, 2006

{{CAs-FedRepstart}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Richard H. Lehman|Richard Lehman]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from California|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[California's 19th congressional district]]|years=1995–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Jeff Denham]]}}

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Jane Harman]]|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former US Representative}}''|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Gary Miller (politician)|Gary Miller]]|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 104th–111th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[California]]}}

{{USCongRep/CA/104}}

{{USCongRep/CA/105}}

{{USCongRep/CA/106}}

{{USCongRep/CA/107}}

{{USCongRep/CA/108}}

{{USCongRep/CA/109}}

{{USCongRep/CA/110}}

{{USCongRep/CA/111}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:1955 births|Radanovich, George]]}}

[[Category:Living1955 people|Radanovich, Georgebirths]]

[[Category:American people of Croatian descent]]

[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California|Radanovich, George]]

[[Category:American people in the wine industry]]

[[Category:Croatian-Americans|Radanovich, George]]

[[Category:CroatianCounty diaspora|Radanovich,supervisors Georgein California]]

[[Category:Pro-lifeCalifornia politicians|Radanovich,Polytechnic GeorgeState University alumni]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Current members of the United States House of Representatives|Radanovich, George]]

[[Category:People from Mariposa, California]]

[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California]]

[[Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]

[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]