Jane Ballard Dyer

Jane Ballard Dyer
Personal details
Born (1957-11-11) November 11, 1957 (age 66)
Greenville, South Carolina
Political partyDemocratic and Working Families
SpouseJohn
ChildrenBill, Tony
step children Amy, John
Alma materClemson University B.S. 1981 (mechanical engineering)
ProfessionPilot
[1][2][3]

Jane Ballard Dyer is an American politician. In 2008 and 2010 she ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd congressional district seat in South Carolina as the nominee of the Democratic Party and Working Families Party. She has been a commercial pilot since 1988, and was a United States Air Force pilot.

Early life, education and career

Jane Ballard Dyer was born November 11, 1957, in Greenville, South Carolina, and grew up in nearby Pickens County, South Carolina, the sixth of eight children. After graduating from Easley High School, Dyer attended Clemson University. She received her degree in mechanical engineering (1981) and was commissioned an officer through Air Force ROTC. She was the first Clemson woman to attend Air Force Pilot Training.[2] She served in the USAF 1981–1988.[3]

Dyer earned her pilot wings, was a KC-135 Air Refueling Pilot, and a T-37 Instructor Pilot. Her husband John is a highly decorated USAF fighter pilot, among his medals are a Purple Heart and 7 Flying Crosses. They returned to South Carolina in 1988 and Dyer worked as a pilot at FedEx for the past 20 years, currently[when?] flying as an A300 Captain.

The Dyers have four children and three grandchildren. He flew corporate jets for Michelin until he retired.[3][4]

Political career

2008 Congressional campaign

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2008 § District 3

Dyer ran for the Third Congressional District seat of South Carolina in 2008. She lost to incumbent Republican Congressman J. Gresham Barrett with 35% of the vote.

2010 Congressional campaign

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2010 § District 3

Dyer announced her candidacy for the Third Congressional District seat in January 2010. Incumbent Congressman J. Gresham Barrett ran for Governor of South Carolina, leaving an open seat. She won the June 8 Democratic primary 65%-35% over Brian Doyle. Dyer campaigned on creating clean-tech jobs, improving public education, and supporting military veterans.[citation needed] She lost the general election to Jeff Duncan 62%–36%; she spent $272,698 and he spent $935,503.[5]

References

  1. ^ Kent, Peter (October 6, 2008). "Third District congressional candidate Jane Dyer to speak at Clemson". Clemson University. Retrieved 2013-09-08. Clemson alumna Jane Dyer (Class of '81), the Democratic Party challenger taking on Republican Rep. Gresham Barrett for the Third District seat in Congress...
  2. ^ a b "Jane Dyer". The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics. Archived from the original on 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2010-07-26. interview
  3. ^ a b c "Biographical Profile for Jane Ballard Dyer". Vote SC. c. 2008. Archived from the original on 2016-08-06. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  4. ^ Potts, Mike (September 8, 2013). "Michelin air shuttles staff members to 10 plant cities". Professional Pilot. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  5. ^ Barone, Michael; Chuck McCutcheon (2011). The Almanac of American Politics 2012. Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group. pp. 1453–1455. ISBN 978-0-226-03808-7. LCCN 2011929193.