# Robert Badham

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**Robert Edward Badham** (June 9, 1929 – October 21, 2005) was an American politician from [California](/source/California). He served as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) member of the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) from the [Orange County](/source/Orange_County,_California)-based [40th district](/source/California's_40th_congressional_district) from 1977 to 1989.

## Biography

Born in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), California, Badham graduated from [Beverly Hills High School](/source/Beverly_Hills_High_School) in 1947, and earned his [B.A.](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) from [Stanford University](/source/Stanford_University) in 1951. During the [Korean War](/source/Korean_War), he served active duty in the [United States Naval Reserve](/source/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](/source/California_State_Assembly) where he would serve for fourteen years. As an assemblyman, he co-authored legislation to create [personalized license plates](/source/Vanity_plate) and fought to protect [tide pools](/source/Tide_pool) along the [Southern California](/source/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](/source/Republican_National_Convention) 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](/source/John_G._Schmitz) and incumbent [Andrew J. Hinshaw](/source/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](/source/Irvine,_California) and his home of [Newport Beach](/source/Newport_Beach,_California). In Congress, he served as a ranking member on the [House Armed Services Committee](/source/United_States_House_Committee_on_Armed_Services) and was representative to the [NATO Parliamentary Assembly](/source/NATO_Parliamentary_Assembly).[2]

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

## References

1. Haldane, David (2005-10-22). ["Robert E. Badham, 76; Newport Beach Republican Lawmaker Was a Close Friend and Ally of Reagan"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-oct-22-me-badhamobit22-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved 2018-07-19.

1. ["CA District 40 - R Primary 1976"](https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=97628). *Our Campaigns*. Retrieved July 19, 2018.

1. [Riverside National Cemetery](https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp)

## External links

### Archival collections

- [Guide to the Robert E. Badham Papers.](https://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf9f59p2m5) Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
- [Join California Robert E. Badham](https://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5704)

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