Romney endorses Dew in 2nd District race

Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has endorsed Republican Bill Dew in the 2nd Congressional District.

The endorsement is not a surprise, as leading Republicans and Democrats normally endorse their party's candidates.

Dew is challenging four-term incumbent Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, in a large district that covers eastern Salt Lake County, as well as eastern, southeastern and southwestern Utah.

Romney is popular in Utah, winning 90 percent of the Feb. 5 GOP presidential primary here. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Romney helped salvage the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics from scandal and financial trouble.

Romney said Dew will "fight for the people of Utah by promoting policies that will strengthen our economy, keep taxes low and help us to achieve the goal of energy independence. His successful background as a business leader will give him a unique perspective as our nation confronts a new generation of challenges."

Dew is a millionaire through his former homebuilding firm, Dewbury Homes.

"America is at a turning point," Romney said. "We need conservative leadership in Washington that believes in the principles of family, patriotism and freedom that have helped guide and build our nation. I know that Bill Dew will take the lead in protecting and defending those values."