Representative Robert Edward Badham

Robert Edward Badham (June 9, 1929 – October 21, 2005) was an American politician from California who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the Orange County-based 40th congressional district from 1977 to 1989. Over six terms in Congress, he contributed to the legislative process during a significant period in American history, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his constituents in a district that included Irvine and his home of Newport Beach.

Badham was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Southern California. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1947 and went on to attend Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. His early life in the Los Angeles area and his education at Stanford provided the foundation for his later career in business and public service.

During the Korean War, Badham served on active duty in the United States Naval Reserve. His military service during this conflict reflected a commitment to national defense that would later be echoed in his congressional work, particularly on defense-related committees. After completing his military service, he returned to California and entered the private sector, becoming an executive in his family’s Hoffman Hardware Company in Los Angeles, where he gained experience in business management and operations.

Badham entered electoral politics in 1962 when he was elected to the California State Assembly. He served in the Assembly for fourteen years, building a record as an active legislator. Among his notable efforts, he co-authored legislation that created personalized license plates in California and worked to protect tide pools along the Southern California coast, reflecting an interest in both consumer-oriented measures and environmental conservation. During his tenure in the state legislature, he was also a delegate to California State Republican conventions and served as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions from 1964 to 1984, helping to shape party policy and participate in the nomination of Republican presidential candidates.

In 1976, Badham sought federal office and entered a crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 40th congressional district. He won the primary with 32 percent of the vote, prevailing over eight other candidates, including former congressman John G. Schmitz and incumbent Andrew J. Hinshaw. He then easily won the general election in November. From 1977 to 1989, he served six consecutive terms in the United States Congress as a Representative from California, consistently winning reelection in the heavily Republican district. In the House of Representatives, Badham became particularly associated with defense and foreign policy issues. He served as a ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, where he played a role in oversight of the nation’s military policies and programs, and he served as a representative to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, reflecting his engagement with transatlantic security and alliance affairs.

After retiring from Congress in 1989, Badham remained active in public and civic life in California. He served on the California Board of Accountancy, contributing to the oversight of the accounting profession in the state, and he was vice chairman of the Newport Beach Civil Service Board, where he participated in local government personnel and administrative matters. He also devoted time to community and philanthropic efforts, including helping to raise funds for Hoag Hospital, a major medical institution serving Orange County.

Robert Edward Badham died on October 21, 2005, after suffering a heart attack at the Balboa Island post office in Newport Beach, California. He was interred at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, a burial place for many veterans, reflecting his service in the United States Naval Reserve during the Korean War.