Denham loses bid for House position

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, fell short Wednesday in his effort to win election as House Republican Conference secretary, a rung on the GOP leadership ladder.

The post was claimed by Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, a 69-year-old sharp-tongued conservative.

Denham, 45, was re-elected last week to the newly redrawn 10th Congressional District, which includes all of Stanislaus County, plus Escalon, Ripon, Manteca and Tracy. He defeated Democrat Jose Hernandez of Manteca.