Jeffrey Allen Helfrich (born April 1968)[1] is the Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives. A Republican, he represents the 52nd district, which covers all of Hood River County and parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Wasco counties.
Jeff Helfrich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office September 27, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Vikki Breese-Iverson |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 52nd district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Lori Kuechler |
| In office November 30, 2017 – January 14, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Anna Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 55–56) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Shawna |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature |  |
Early life
editHelfrich served as an airman in the United States Air Force during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He then was a sergeant with the Portland Police Bureau for 25 years.[2]
Political career
editHelfrich served on the Cascade Locks City Council from his appointment in 2011 until November 2012.[3][4][5] He was again appointed in February 2013 and served until June 2015, when he resigned and moved to Hood River.[6][7]
On November 6, 2017, incumbent Oregon State Representative Mark Johnson resigned.[8] Helfrich was appointed by a unanimous vote of Clackamas, Hood River, and Multnomah county commissioners to serve the remainder of his term.[9][10][11]
Helfrich ran for a full two-year term in 2018, but was defeated by Democrat Anna Williams.[12][13] In 2020, he lost a rematch with Williams.[14] In 2022, Williams retired and Helrich defeated Darcy Long to reclaim the seat.[15]
In 2023, Helfrich was one of the few legislators to vote no on SB184.This legislation requires that payments made to independent contractors also be reported to the state of Oregon for child support collecting purposes.[16] Prior to the passage of this bill it was near impossible for the state of Oregon to collect child support from independent contractors who refused to support their children. [17]
In September 2023, Helfrich was elected minority leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, replacing Vikki Breese-Iverson who stepped down a week prior.[18]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anna Williams | 16,135 | 51.4 | |
| Republican | Jeff Helfrich | 15,238 | 48.5 | |
| Write-in | 41 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 31,414 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anna Williams | 19,209 | 48.7 | |
| Republican | Jeff Helfrich | 19,125 | 48.5 | |
| Libertarian | Stephen D Alder | 1,060 | 2.7 | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 39,420 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeff Helfrich | 16,994 | 52.5 | |
| Democratic | Darcy Long | 15,360 | 47.4 | |
| Write-in | 40 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 32,394 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ "Legislator Information". services.statescape.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
- ^ Friedman, Gordon R. (November 30, 2017). "Retired Portland Police officer appointed to Oregon Legislature". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Helfrich, Holmstrom, Lewis, Storm named to Cascade Locks council". Hood River News. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Lance Masters appointed as Cascade Locks mayor". Hood River News. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Eleven apply for four Cascade Locks council seats". Hood River News. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Neumann-Rea, Kirby (February 12, 2013). "Cascade Locks Council appoints three". Hood River News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Neumann-Rea, Kirby (January 25, 2013). "Three city council members call it quits in Cascade Locks". Hood River News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Mulvihill, Patrick (November 29, 2017). "House District 52: Counties will select from three candidates". Hood River News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Hood River man appointed to House Dist. 52 seat". Hood River News. December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Allen, Brittany (December 1, 2017). "Hood River resident Jeff Helfrich appointed to House 52 seat". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Helfrich Appointed To District 52 Position". Gorge Radio. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Allen, Brittany (November 6, 2018). "Williams claims victory in HD52; Helfrich isn't conceding". The Sandy Post. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Fitzgerals, Emily (December 29, 2019). "Dist. 52 Rep. Anna Williams prepares to take office". Hood River News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Green, Aimee (February 22, 2023). "Darcy Long, Jeff Helfrich in tight race for Oregon House seat representing Hood River, The Dalles". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Current Election". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Oregon Legislative Information System". olis.oregonlegislature.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "SB 184 to Change Child Support Reporting Requirements". natlawreview.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Oregon House Republicans tap Rep. Jeff Helfrich as new minority leader". opb. Archived from the original on 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.