Senator Daniel Bonham is the youngest of six children born to John and Joyce Bonham. Daniel met his wife Lori in 1998 and they began their family the same year he graduated from Linfield College with a bachelor's degree in business.

After graduating from Linfield, Daniel was hired by Evergreen International Aviation in McMinnville. Evergreen exposed Daniel to significant business opportunities that took him around the world and offered substantial experience in Washington, D.C. engaging in the policymaking process. While at Evergreen, Daniel served as the Director of Sales and Marketing, where he was actively involved in contract negotiations, pricing and cost analysis, temporary operational assignments, human resource management and training, company sale and acquisition, joint venture opportunities, litigation, and lobbying. In 2006, Daniel left Evergreen and joined RB Rubber as a Sales Manager before purchasing Maupin's Stoves and Spas in 2007.

Outside of work, Daniel has enjoyed coaching soccer, basketball, and baseball over the years. Daniel has previously volunteered his time serving on The Dalles Budget Committee and Urban Renewal Budget Committee.