Bill Dew

Bill Dew was the Republican challenger in Utah's 2nd congressional district in 2008. On May 10, 2008, Dew won 69% of the vote at Utah's state convention, defeating five other Republican contenders. Dew came from behind, beating the favorite, Merrill Cook, to win the party's nomination outright. Dew lost in the general election to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson. Dew got 35% of the vote.

Education and military service

After graduating from high school in 1970, Dew spent two years as an LDS missionary in Arizona. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1978 with a degree in Finance.

After completing college and ROTC, Dew was commissioned a second lieutenant and served in the United States Army Reserve for the next eight years. In 1986, he received an honorable discharge and left the army with the rank of first lieutenant.

Business

Dew's father was a school teacher who worked construction on the weekends. Growing up, Dew often worked alongside him. Years later, while serving in the Army Reserve, Dew started building homes in the Salt Lake Valley, and his homebuilding enterprise quickly became a successful development company called Dewbury Homes. In 2006, after 30 years in the construction industry - often with his own children at his side - Dew was able to leave his business and, accompanied by his wife Jolene, devote two years to humanitarian work in Jordan.

Positions

Bill Dew supports a balanced federal budget, giving states and local communities control over public education, securing the borders and ending illegal immigration, making America energy independent, and winning the war in Iraq.

2008 Election

Dew pledged to spend $500,000 of his own money on his campaign.