Robert Edward Badham (June 9, 1929 – October 21, 2005) was an American politician from California. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the Orange County-based 40th district from 1977 to 1989.

Robert Badham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 40th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1989
Preceded byAndrew J. Hinshaw
Succeeded byChristopher Cox
Member of the California State Assembly
In office
January 7, 1963 – November 30, 1976
Preceded byWalter M. Ingalls (74th)
Gordon Cologne (71st)
Succeeded byRonald Cordova (74th)
Paul B. Carpenter (71st)
Constituency71st district (1963–1975)
74th district (1975–1977)
Personal details
Born(1929-06-09)June 9, 1929
Los Angeles, California
DiedOctober 21, 2005(2005-10-21) (aged 76)
Newport Beach, California
Resting placeRiverside National Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnne Badham
Children5
ProfessionBusiness executive
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/warsKorean War

Biography

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Born in Los Angeles, California, Badham graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1947, and earned his B.A. from Stanford University in 1951. During the Korean War, he served active duty in the United States Naval Reserve. After returning home, he became an executive in his family's Hoffman Hardware Company in Los Angeles.[1][2]

Badham entered politics in 1962 when he was elected to the California State Assembly where he would serve for fourteen years. As an assemblyman, he co-authored legislation to create personalized license plates and fought to protect tide pools along the Southern California coast. In addition, he was a delegate to the California State Republican conventions during his tenure in the state legislature and was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions from 1964 to 1984.[1][2]

In 1976, Badham entered a crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 40th congressional district and won with 32% of the vote, besting eight other candidates including former congressman John G. Schmitz and incumbent Andrew J. Hinshaw.[3] He easily won the general election in November, and was reelected five more times in the heavily Republican district which included Irvine and his home of Newport Beach. In Congress, he served as a ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee and was representative to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.[2]

After retiring from Congress, Badham remained active, serving on the California Board of Accountancy, as vice chairman of the Newport Beach Civil Service Board, and helping to raise money for Hoag Hospital. He died on October 21, 2005, after suffering a heart attack at Balboa Island post office.[2] He was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b United States Congress. "Robert Badham (id: B000024)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  2. ^ a b c d Haldane, David (2005-10-22). "Robert E. Badham, 76; Newport Beach Republican Lawmaker Was a Close Friend and Ally of Reagan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  3. ^ "CA District 40 - R Primary 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. ^ Riverside National Cemetery
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Archival collections

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Other

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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 40th congressional district

1977–1989
Succeeded by