Jeff Denham

• Biography:

  Senator Jeff Denham was elected to the California 12th Senate District in November of 2002. In his first year in office, Senator Denham has focused his efforts on education, agriculture and Worker’s Compensation reform. He has been a leading voice in the effort to liquidate state surplus properties and reduce government waste in Sacramento. He serves on the Senate Agriculture and Water Resources, Banking and International Commerce, Education, Natural Resources and Wildlife, Insurance and Veteran’s Affairs committees.

  Senator Denham is a local agricultural businessman who represents Merced, San Benito, Stanislaus, Madera, and Monterey 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 ten years and has two children, eight year-old Austin and six year-old Samantha.