Jeff Helfrich
Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives
Assumed office
September 27, 2023
Preceded byVikki Breese-Iverson
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 52nd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byLori Kuechler
In office
November 30, 2017 – January 14, 2019
Preceded byMark Johnson
Succeeded byAnna Williams
Personal details
Born1968 (age 55–56)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseShawna
Children2
Signature

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.

Early life

Helfrich 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

Helfrich 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 September 2023, Helfrich was elected minority leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, replacing Vikki Breese-Iverson who stepped down a week prior.[16]

Electoral history

2018 Oregon State Representative, 52nd district [17]
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%
2020 Oregon State Representative, 52nd district [18]
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%
2022 Oregon State Representative, 52nd district [19]
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

  1. ^ "Legislator Information". services.statescape.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Helfrich Appointed To District 52 Position". Gorge Radio. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Current Election". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  16. ^ "Oregon House Republicans tap Rep. Jeff Helfrich as new minority leader". opb. Archived from the original on 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  17. ^ "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "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.

External links

Oregon House of Representatives Preceded byVikki Breese-Iverson Minority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives 2023–present Incumbent
Statewide political officials of Oregon
Floor leaders of state houses
Members of the Oregon House of Representatives
Portland Police Bureau
Categories