• Josie Valdez, candidate for lieutenant governor

• Jean Hill, candidate for attorney general

• Dick Clark , candidate for treasurer

• Clare Collard , candidate for auditor

CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES | House of Representatives

• Rep. Jim Matheson , 2nd District

• Morgan Bowen , 1st District

• Bennion Spencer, 3rd District

Bob Springmeyer, candidate for governor

Bob Springmeyer was born in Provo and raised in Ogden and Sugar House. He attended the University of Utah where he earned degrees in economics and political science.

Bob has operated his own management consulting business for 30 years. Bonneville Research specializes in consulting to local governments in strategic planning, economic development and grant writing.  

Bob is a long time activist in his community.  He and his wife, Gwen, chaired the efforts to build the Ronald McDonald House of Utah – serving the families of hospitalized children of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada. He also helped form and is the first president of the “Utah Wildlife and Conservation Foundation” to improve the habitat of non-game wildlife in Utah and to educate students of the importance of the Great Salt Lake.

Bob is an avid cyclist and advocates for bike safety.  He spends his free time fly fishing and hanging out at the Bobsled and Skeleton track in Park City.  Bob and his wife Gwen raised their four children in Salt Lake City and now reside in the Avenues area.  Together they enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren.

WEB SITE: www.bobforgov.org

Josie Valdez, candidate for lieutenant governor

Josie Valdez has been a community activist and organizer since she first arrived in Utah in the early ’70s.  Currently, she is retired from 30 years with the federal government, having served as assistant district director for the Utah Small Business Administration (SBA) office here in Salt Lake City.

After Josie retired from the SBA, she served on the cabinet of Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson as director of diversity.

She is a cum laude graduate of Westminster College with a degree in Business and Economics and a Certificate in International Business.  Last year, she and her husband, Rep. Mark Archuleta Wheatley, were named Alumni of the Year by Westminster.

Some of Josie’s recognitions include: Utah Business Magazine Top 30 Women to Watch, Connect Magazine’s top 20 Hispanic Business Leaders,  the YWCA Distinguished Woman Award, NAACP Rosa Parks Award, the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Award,

and the Pathfinder Award from the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

She has served on the boards of the Murray Center for the Blind, Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs, Governor’s Advisory Board for Women’s Economic Development, and many other organizations.

Josie ran for Salt Lake County Assessor in 2007.  She served as campaign manager for her husband’s successful bid for District 35 in the Utah House of Representatives.

She is the mother of two and grandmother of two.  

Jean Welch Hill, candidate for attorney general

Jean Welch Hill is an attorney for the State Board of Education and prosecutes educator misconduct cases before the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. Jean is a member of the National Council of State Education Attorneys; the State Advisory Board on Children’s Justice, and serves on the Boards of Directors of Wasatch Community Gardens and the Law-Related Education Project.

Jean began her career as a high school history teacher and was an editorial writer/columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. She received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and in Geography and a law degree from the University of Utah.  Jean and Ron are raising three boys.

WEB SITE: www.jeanwelchhill.org/

Dick Clark, candidate for treasurer

Dick Clark has been a securities adviser for over 30 years and is currently a registered investment adviser agent (RIA) and a principal and branch manager with J P Turner and Co. LLC.

Dick was inspired to run for office  by his three sons.  One is a member of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office and was appointed to the Metro Gang Unit.  Dick’s other two sons were serving in Iraq this past year. 

“They risked all they had or ever would each day for us.  After being behind a desk for a long time, I thought it was time that their father stepped up to the line and did his part.”

Dick and his wife Karen lives in Holladay, Utah.

Clare Collard, candidate for auditor

Clare is Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance, Salt Lake Credit Union. She has 22 years of experience in banking and credit unions in positions of management and leadership. Currently, she is regional director for the Salt Lake County Democratic Party.

“I am proud to be a naturalized citizen of the Greatest Nation on Earth, The United States of America. I believe in the democratic process and want to encourage others to be involved in this process and participate in the party that shares my core values.

“I believe in openness and transparency in government and feel strongly that gender equity should be in every part of government including the Office of the State Auditor.

“I feel that my 22 plus years of experience in management and leadership roles prepares me for the role of state auditor.”

Clare is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Scotland. She has been a Magna resident for the past 17 years and a Salt Lake County resident for the past 22 years.

She has been married to Que for 22 years, a mother of two sons, Zach, 20, and Chaz, 18.

Rep. Jim Matheson, 2nd Congressional District

In January 2007, Jim Matheson was sworn in for a fourth term representing Utah’s Second Congressional District, which comprises the eastern half of Salt Lake County, the northern tip of Utah County and 14 eastern and southern Utah counties.  It also includes St. George.

Congressman Matheson serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, an exclusive committee with the broadest jurisdiction of any Congressional committee. The Energy and Commerce Committee deals with energy policy, consumer protection, food and drug safety, health care, air quality and environmental health, telecommunications and interstate and foreign commerce.  Matheson is also a member of the House Science and Technology Committee.

Congressman Matheson is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative House Democrats, with a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the policy arena.  He is a past Co-Chairman of the group.

Before his election to Congress, he worked in the energy industry for 13 years for several local companies and in his own firm.  His wife, Amy, is a pediatrician and they have two sons.

WEB SITE: www.house.gov/matheson/

Morgan Bowen, candidate for 1st Congressional District

Morgan Bowen is a fourth generation descendant of Utah pioneers who lives in Hyde Park, Utah. He holds an AA in General Studies from Merced College, a BA in History from CSU Stanislaus, and a MS in American Studies from Utah State University.

He worked for 15 years as CEO of an international sustainable agricultural consulting firm and is currently a religious educator in Richmond and Logan, Utah.

He is married to the former Kristen Matheson. They have six children: Brennon 21, Jeremy 21, Meghan 18, Samantha 16, Jeremiah 15, and Hannah 10.

WEB SITE: www.bowenforcongress.com

Bennion Spencer, candidate for 2nd Congressional District

Bennion Spencer grew up in Layton, Utah. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Communications from Weber State University and Master’s of Science in International Relations from Utah State University.

He is an authority on political violence and revolution, or what today is called terrorism.

Bennion has spent the past 25 years in journalism working as a reporter, producer, news director, and general manager at stations in Texas and Utah.

Bennion and his wife, Malinda, live in Riverton, Utah. They have four children and five grandchildren. He served an LDS mission in England and Wales.

WEB SITE: www.bennionspencerforcongress.com

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