George Purdy Radanovich (born June 20, 1955) is an American politician and former U.S. Representative for California's 19th congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2011.

[4] After college, he performed a variety of jobs, including work as a banker, substitute teacher, and construction worker.

He began growing grapes in his native Mariposa County in 1982, after observing a microclimate in the area suitable for their growth.

He first ran for Congress in 1992 after his home in Mariposa was shifted to the 19th District, and lost in the Republican primary to Fresno businessman Tal Cloud.

[7] Lehman had only defeated Cloud by 1,100 votes in the previous election cycle, and speculation had abounded that the 19th would not stay Democratic for long.

[8] It was one of the largest margins of defeat for an incumbent in a cycle that saw many tenured Democrats lose their seats.