Meet the Lawmaker: Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.)

• Age: 43

• Residence: Atwater, Calif.

• Time in Office: Two months

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Rep. Denham: I grew up farming, and I hoped that one day I could afford my own farm, and now I’m living that dream.

What is your favorite hobby?

Rep. Denham: I love to snow-ski as well as golf and play basketball with my kids.

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement?

Rep. Denham: In the California state Senate, I focused on selling a lot of the properties we had and redefining how we justify and hold on to our properties. So I would say: completely redefining how the state handled its assets and buying power, which is also what I’m working on here.

What is something you’re passionate about?

Rep. Denham: Agriculture and education.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

Rep. Denham: Certainly close to home would be Yosemite [National Park], but I also love to go to the beach — Maui — with my kids.

What’s your least favorite household chore?

Rep. Denham: Cleaning the rain gutters.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Rep. Denham: Cigars.