David Dean Tews (January 24, 1930 – October 31, 2007) was an American Republican politician and lobbyist who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 15th district from 1957 to 1961.
David Tews | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 15th district | |
| In office January 1, 1957 – January 3, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | William Purdy |
| Succeeded by | H. L. Gerhart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1930 |
| Died | October 31, 2007 (aged 77) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Helen McAllister Tews |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | Norfolk Junior College University of Nebraska College of Law |
| Occupation | Real estate developer, lobbyist, consultant, attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Nebraska Air National Guard |
Years of service | 1951–1952 |
Early life
editTews was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1930.[1] He graduated from Norfolk High School, and attended Norfolk Junior College and the University of Nebraska College of Law.[1][2] After graduation, he began his practice in Norfolk, and formed the law firm of Reeker and Tews with his step-father, former Madison County Judge Ernest Reeker.[3]
Nebraska Legislature
editIn 1956, State Senator William Purdy ran for re-election in the 15th district, which included Madison and Pierce counties.[4] Tews, along with George Charlton, the former superintendent of the Norfolk State Hospital, ran against Purdy in the nonpartisan primary. Tews ran for the state legislature from the [2][5] In the primary election, Tews placed first, winning 42 percent of the vote to Charlton's 33 percent and Purdy's 25 percent.[6] Purdy was the only incumbent senator to lose renomination that year, and Tews and Charlton advanced to the general election.[7] Tews defeated Charlton in a landslide, winning 68–32 percent.[6]
Tews ran for re-election in 1958, and was challenged by Purdy.[8] He placed first over Purdy in the primary by a wide margin, receiving 73 percent of the vote.[9][10] In the general election, he defeated Purdy by a wide margin, winning re-election 69–31 percent.[9]
Post-legislative career
editIn 1960, Tews announced that he would run for the Ninth Judicial District rather than seek re-election, and simultaneously ran as a delegate to the 1960 Republican National Convention from the 3rd congressional district.[11] However, he ultimately dropped out of the race, citing his ongoing studies at the University of Nebraska.[12]
After leaving the legislature, he worked as a lobbyist and in real estate development.[13] Tews was active in Republican politics and was a friend and ally of George Bush.[13] In the 1980s, he moved to Washington, D.C., in the 1980s, and started D&H Consulting, an international business consulting firm.[13]
Death
editReferences
edit- 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1958 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1959. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- 1 2 "David Tews Is Candidate for State Senator". Norfolk Daily News. March 21, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "New Law Firm Announced Here". Norfolk Daily News. March 5, 1956. p. 11. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "William Purdy Seeks Reelection As State Senator". Norfolk Daily News. February 8, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Dr. Charlton files for legislature". Columbus Telegram. January 24, 1956. p. 4. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1956). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 15, 1956, General Election, November 6, 1956 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Sen. Purdy Defeated In Primary". Grand Island Independent. May 17, 1956. p. 23. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "29 in Races For Madison County Jobs". Norfolk Daily News. April 4, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1958). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 13, 1958, General Election, November 4, 1958 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Easy Primary Wins By Senators May Mean Little in Fall Bids". Star-Herald. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. May 15, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Tews Files for District Judge, GOP Delegate". Norfolk Daily News. January 22, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Tews Will Hit Books". Lincoln Evening Journal. February 24, 1960. p. 31. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Former senator, lobbyist Tews dies". Lincoln Journal Star. November 3, 2007. p. 1B. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Tews, 77, served in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. November 4, 2007. p. 4B. Retrieved April 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.