George Radanovich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's19th district | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Lehman |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Denham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Purdy Radanovich (1955-06-20)June 20, 1955 (age 70) Mariposa, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (BS) |
George Purdy Radanovich (born June 20, 1955) is an American politician and formerU.S. Representative forCalifornia's 19th congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2011.[1][2] The district includes most of northernFresno, as well as several rural areas northeast of the city. He did not seek reelection in 2010. He is a member of theRepublican Party.
Radanovich was born inMariposa, California to a Catholic family ofCroatian extraction.[3]
He was educated atCalifornia 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 nativeMariposa County in 1982, after observing amicroclimate 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 theMariposa CountyBoard 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 incumbentDemocratRichard 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 toWine Spectator, in 2003 Congressman Radanovich closedRadanovich 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 engineerT. 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 andNancy 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]
In 2022, Radanovich ran forCalifornia's 4th State Senate district. He was eliminated when he placed third in the primary.
In 2024, Radanovich placed first in the primary election forCalifornia's 8th Assembly district, but lost to fellow RepublicanDavid Tangipa in the general election.
He was president of the Republican freshman class of 1994, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge,[11] and is a member of theRepublican Study Committee.
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]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 19th congressional district 1995–2011 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former U.S. Representative | Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative |
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| National | |
| People | |
