Erik Helland

Erik Helland (born May 16, 1980) is a lawyer and a former Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives.[1] He represented the 69th district, which includes Grimes, Johnston, Polk City, Saylorville, Alleman, Elkhart, and parts of Sheldahl, from 2009 to 2013.[1] He was the state director for Tim Pawlenty's 2012 presidential campaign in Iowa.[2]

For the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle maker, see Erik Jonsson Helland.
Erik Helland
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 69th district
In office
2009–2013
Preceded byWalt Tomenga
Succeeded byJake Highfill
Personal details
Born (1980-05-16) May 16, 1980
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceJohnston, Iowa
Alma materDrake University
OccupationLawyer
WebsiteCampaign Website

Early life and career

Erik Helland grew up on his family's farm.[3] He graduated from Ballard High School and then went on to earn his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and his Juris Doctor from Drake University.[1][3] He works for a bank as a compliance officer.[1] He is a former president of the Grimes Lions club and a former board member of the Des Moines Young Variety.[3] He attends St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.[1]

Political career

Erik Helland was an Iowa field staffer for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.[2] In 2008, he decided to run to represent the 69th district in the Iowa House of Representatives.[1] He faced Richard Sosalla in the general election and won with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2010 without opposition. He was the Midwest political director for former New York Governor George Pataki’s 21st Century Political Action Committee.[2] He was the Iowa state director for Tim Pawlenty's 2012 presidential campaign.[2] He was also the majority whip in the Iowa House of Representatives.[1] In 2012, he lost reelection in the Republican primary to Jake Highfill.[4]

Committee assignments
  • Administration and Rules
  • Legislative Council
  • Local Government
  • State Government
  • Ways and Means

Electoral history
2012 Republican Primary for Iowa’s 69th House of Representatives District
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jake Highfill 622 52.1
Republican Erik Helland 572 47.9
2010 General Election for Iowa’s 69th House of Representatives District
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Erik Helland 14,681 100.0
2008 General Election for Iowa’s 69th House of Representatives District
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Erik Helland 14,228 61.0
Democratic Richard Sosalla 9,111 39.0

References
  1. "Biography". Iowa House Republicans. 1980-05-16. Archived from the original on 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  2. Team Pawlenty (2011-06-16). "Press Release - Governor Pawlenty Unveils Iowa Staff | Pawlenty 2012". Timpawlenty.com. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  3. "Erik Helland". Erik Helland. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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