Dear Republican Friends,

I am writing to let you know of my decision to leave Congress at the end of my current term.

During the past 15 years, not a day goes by that I don’t feel a sense of pride and honor in being your voice in our nation's capital.  Every decision I make and every vote I cast is based solely on what is best for our Valley, our state and our nation.

As you may already know, my wife Ethie has been valiantly fighting ovarian cancer for nearly three years.  My family needs me, and I intend to be by their side.  It is for this reason that I have decided to not seek reelection to Congress in 2010.

I am pleased to say that I reached out to conservative Republican State Senator Jeff Denham and asked him to run for our district. 

Jeff Denham is a 16 year Air Force veteran who served with distinction in Operation Desert Storm and Somalia. He is a valley almond grower and successful businessman who manufactures agricultural container products.  For the last seven years he has represented the Northern portion of our district in the State Senate. I have witnessed firsthand the work he has done for our special part of California.  I am very happy that he has agreed to run for Congress.

Given his already proven conservative record as a candidate and elected official, I will do everything I can to help Jeff win in June and November.

I urge you to join me in supporting Jeff Denham in the June Primary.

In the meantime, I will fulfill my pledge to represent you and our district for the remainder of the year. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support.

Sincerely,

Congressman George Radanovich