Dan Helmer

Dan Helmer is an American politician and United States Army veteran. In 2018, he ran in the Democratic primary for a seat in Virginia's 10th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated by Virginia State Senator Jennifer Wexton, who went on to defeat the Republican incumbent Congresswoman Barbara Comstock.[1][2] In 2019 he successfully ran for Virginia House of Delegates’ 40th district seat, defeating Republican incumbent Delegate Tim Hugo.[3] Helmer is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a Rhodes Scholar.[4]

Dan Helmer
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 40th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2020
Preceded byTim Hugo
Personal details
Born
Daniel Isaac Helmer

(1981-09-27) September 27, 1981
Haddonfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUnited States Military Academy (BS)
University of Oxford
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service2004–2017

Education and early career

Helmer graduated from West Point in 2003 and began his military service as an armor officer. He served with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq in 2004. He then received a Rhodes scholarship, with which he earned a master's degree from the University of Oxford. Afterwards, he was deployed again with the 1st Infantry Division to Afghanistan in 2007. He also spent three years in South Korea.[4]

After active duty service, Helmer now helps run a small business where he works to protect veterans' healthcare. He has continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he was selected in 2017 for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.[5]

Political career

Congressional election
Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 10

In 2018, Helmer was a Democratic candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his campaign, Helmer received some national attention for his unique, occasionally provocative campaign ads, which led to his sparring with hosts on the conservative talk show Fox & Friends.[6]

In 2017, one of Helmer’s campaign videos entitled "Helmer Zone" went viral, reaching number four on the YouTube trending list within 24 hours. The video, in which Helmer spoofed the film “Top Gun” and sang “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” garnered mixed reactions.[7] Helmer placed 4th in the Democratic primary election on June 12, 2018.[8]

Virginia House of Delegates
Main article: 2019 Virginia House of Delegates election

In 2019, Helmer was the Democratic candidate for Virginia's 40th House of Delegates district, running against Republican incumbent Tim Hugo. The race ultimately broke Virginia's fundraising record for a House of Delegates election, with Helmer and Hugo raising a combined $3.6 million.[9] Helmer won with 52% of the vote.[10]

Legislative priorities

Gun control

Helmer has advocated for gun control, focusing much of his 2018 campaign on his identity as an Army veteran and his support for the gun regulations proposed by Governor Ralph Northam.[11]

In May 2018, Helmer went to a gun show in Chantilly and demonstrated how it was possible to buy a functionally similar, but described by Helmer as "the same gun" that he had used in Afghanistan in under 10 minutes, without a background check.[12][13]

In January 2020, Helmer introduced HB 567 a bill that would outlaw all indoor firing ranges in buildings with more than 50 employees[14] in the Commonwealth of Virginia unless owned by the government.

Healthcare

After Helmer and his wife, Karen, had their second child, she was diagnosed with a condition that makes pregnancy potentially life-threatening. Dan has stated that his wife's diagnosis strengthened his dedication to expanding Virginians’ access to affordable healthcare and protecting women's reproductive rights.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Wexton wins Dem race for Virginia's 10th District". WTOP. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  2. "Virginia Election Results: 10th House District". The New York Times. 2019-01-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  3. Reports, Staff. "Democrat Dan Helmer unseats Del. Tim Hugo in 40th District House seat". Prince William Times. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  4. Myers, Meghann (September 20, 2017). "Army reservist dons bomber jacket, channels Maverick in campaign video". Army Times. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  5. "Dan Helmer". Vote Vets. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  6. Greene, Renss (June 10, 2018). "Party Primaries to Pare Down Crowded Field". Loudoun Now. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  7. Resnick, Gideon (September 18, 2017). "Behind the Making of the Worst/Best Political Campaign Ad of All Time". Daily Beast. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  8. "Dan Helmer". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  9. "In Virginia Politics, 'It Costs A Lot Of Money Now Just To Lose'". WAMU. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  10. "2019 November General". virginia.gov.
  11. Epstein, Reid J. (August 8, 2019). "The Next Front in the Fight Over Gun Control? Virginia". New York Times. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  12. Lopez, German (May 2, 2018). "Watch a Democratic candidate buy an assault rifle in under 10 minutes — with no background check". Vox. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  13. Bowden, John (May 1, 2018). "Dem House candidate releases video showing lack of background checks at gun shows". The Hill. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  14. "text of bill 567".
  15. Woolsey, Angela (Oct 25, 2019). "Dan Helmer brings star power to "historic" General Assembly campaign". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
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