Los Angeles Times, CA
Dec 30 2009
California’s Rep. George Radanovich to step down
The Central Valley Republican says he wants to spend more time with
his wife, who is battling ovarian cancer. He asks state Sen. Jeff
Denham (R-Atwater) to run to replace him.
By Jean Merl
December 30, 2009
Central Valley Rep. George Radanovich announced Tuesday that he is
stepping down from his strongly Republican district seat next year and
has asked state Sen. Jeff Denham, a fellow conservative Republican, to
run to replace him.
Radanovich, a 15-year veteran of Congress from Mariposa, said in
statement that he wants to spend more time with his wife, Ethie, who
is battling ovarian cancer; and his son.
"My family needs me, and I intend to be by their side to win this
battle," Radanovich said. "It is for this reason that I have decided
to not seek reelection to Congress in 2010."
Radanovich also said he discussed the situation with several of his
"most trusted advisors and colleagues," including Rep. David Dreier
(R-San Dimas) and state Sen. David Cogdill (R-Modesto) and that he had
"reached out" to Denham.
Denham, of the Central Valley town of Atwater, has termed-out in the
Senate. He recently decided against running for California lieutenant
governor next year after the governor appointed state Sen. Abel
Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) to the vacant post. Denham had considered a
state Assembly seat before Radanovich persuaded him to run for
Congress. Several other Republicans were thought to be interested in
seeking Radanovich’s seat, but it was unclear how their plans might be
affected by the congressman’s all-out support of Denham.
Radanovich is perhaps best known among Californians for leading
efforts to pass a congressional resolution acknowledging a World War
I-era genocide of Armenians. A member of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, he also once owned a California winery.
Radanovich promised to conclude his tenure by continuing "to fight to
unite our valley in helping us get the water we need to save our
state’s No. 1 industry — agriculture."