Born in Los Angeles, California, Badham graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1947, and earned his B.A.

As an assemblyman, he co-authored legislation to create personalized license plates and fought to protect tide pools along the Southern California coast.

[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.

[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.