George Radanovich is a native of a Mariposa County farm family and a former member of Congress representing Fresno County, Madera County, Mariposa County and Tuolumne County, all included in the 8th Assembly District. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In 1982, George began growing grapes in Mariposa County and in 1986 he opened the Radanovich Winery, the first winery in the region. He was the first winemaker to serve in Congress since Thomas Jefferson.

George served as a member of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors from 1988 to 1992. In 1994 George ran for Congress, defeating entrenched Incumbent Democrat Richard Lehman by 17 points. Radanovich was elected President of the 74-member freshman class of Republicans. He was the top Republican vote-getter in the June 2022 Primary in Senate District 4.

In Congress, George served as a key member of the Resources Committee, Chairman of the National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Subcommittee, Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee, Chairman of the Western Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Water Caucus and Wine Caucus. He served in Congress from 1994 to 2010, becoming a leading advocate for California’s agricultural, resources and recreational communities. He voluntarily retired from Congress in 2010.

After leaving Congress, George served as Chairman of the Board of a small family retail business founded by his parents in 1955. In 2016, George became President of the California Fresh Fruit Association. He left that position in 2019.