{{Short description|Member of the Oregon House of Representatives}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jeff Helfrich | image = Jeff Helfrich.png | office = Minority Leader of the [[Oregon House of Representatives]] | term_start = September 27, 2023 | term_end = January 13, 2025 | predecessor = [[Vikki Breese-Iverson]] | successor = [[Christine Drazan]] | state_house1 = Oregon | district1 = 52nd | term_start1 = January 9, 2023 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = [[Lori Kuechler]] | successor1 = | term_start2 = November 30, 2017 | term_end2 = January 14, 2019 | predecessor2 = [[Mark Johnson (Oregon politician)|Mark Johnson]] | successor2 = [[Anna Williams (politician)|Anna Williams]] | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1968}} | birth_place = [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | spouse = Shawna | children = 2 | signature = Jeff Helfrich Signature.png }} '''Jeffrey Allen Helfrich''' (born April 1968)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legislator Information |url=https://services.statescape.com/LegislatorInfo/Legislator.aspx?id=22199 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=services.statescape.com |archive-date=2023-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429004151/https://services.statescape.com/LegislatorInfo/Legislator.aspx?id=22199 |url-status=live }}</ref> is an American politician currently serving as a member of the [[Oregon House of Representatives]] representing the [[Oregon's 52nd House district|52nd district]], which covers all of [[Hood River County, Oregon|Hood River County]] and parts of [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas]], [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah]] and [[Wasco County, Oregon|Wasco]] counties. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he previously served as [[Minority Leader]] of the house from 2023 until 2025.
==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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/retired_portland_police_office.html|title=Retired Portland Police officer appointed to Oregon Legislature|author=Friedman, Gordon R.|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|date=November 30, 2017|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183718/http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/retired_portland_police_office.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Political career== Helfrich served on the [[Cascade Locks, Oregon|Cascade Locks]] City Council from his appointment in 2011 until November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/oct/28/helfrich-holmstrom-lewis-storm-named-to-cascade/|title=Helfrich, Holmstrom, Lewis, Storm named to Cascade Locks council|newspaper=[[Hood River News]]|date=October 26, 2011|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021054/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/oct/28/helfrich-holmstrom-lewis-storm-named-to-cascade/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/nov/14/lance-masters-appointed-as-cascade-locks-mayor/|title=Lance Masters appointed as Cascade Locks mayor|newspaper=[[Hood River News]]|date=November 5, 2011|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021322/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/nov/14/lance-masters-appointed-as-cascade-locks-mayor/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/oct/19/eleven-apply-for-four-cascade-locks-council-seats/|title=Eleven apply for four Cascade Locks council seats|newspaper=[[Hood River News]]|date=October 15, 2011|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021436/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2011/oct/19/eleven-apply-for-four-cascade-locks-council-seats/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was again appointed in February 2013 and served until June 2015, when he resigned and moved to [[Hood River, Oregon|Hood River]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/feb/12/cascade-locks-council-appoints-three/|title=Cascade Locks Council appoints three|author=Neumann-Rea, Kirby|newspaper=[[Hood River News]]|date=February 12, 2013|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021023/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/feb/12/cascade-locks-council-appoints-three/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/jan/23/three-city-council-members-call-it-quits-cascade-l/|title=Three city council members call it quits in Cascade Locks|author=Neumann-Rea, Kirby|newspaper=[[Hood River News]]|date=January 25, 2013|accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021301/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/jan/23/three-city-council-members-call-it-quits-cascade-l/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 6, 2017, incumbent [[Oregon House of Representatives|Oregon State Representative]] [[Mark Johnson (Oregon politician)|Mark Johnson]] resigned.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2017/nov/29/house-district-52-counties-will-select-three-candi/ |title=House District 52: Counties will select from three candidates |author=Mulvihill, Patrick |newspaper=[[Hood River News]] |date=November 29, 2017 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021503/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2017/nov/29/house-district-52-counties-will-select-three-candi/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Helfrich was appointed by a unanimous vote of Clackamas, Hood River, and Multnomah county commissioners to serve the remainder of his term.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2017/nov/30/hood-river-man-appointed-house-dist-52-seat/ |title=Hood River man appointed to House Dist. 52 seat |newspaper=[[Hood River News]] |date=December 1, 2017|accessdate=January 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021452/http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2017/nov/30/hood-river-man-appointed-house-dist-52-seat/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/380183-267217-hood-river-resident-jeff-helfrich-appointed-to-house-52-seat |title=Hood River resident Jeff Helfrich appointed to House 52 seat |author=Allen, Brittany |newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]] |date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114075144/https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/380183-267217-hood-river-resident-jeff-helfrich-appointed-to-house-52-seat |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gorgeradio.com/helfrich-appointed-district-52-position/ |title=Helfrich Appointed To District 52 Position|publisher=Gorge Radio|date=November 30, 2017 |accessdate=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020621/https://www.gorgeradio.com/helfrich-appointed-district-52-position/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Helfrich ran for a full two-year term [[2018 Oregon legislative election|in 2018]], but was defeated by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Anna Williams (politician)|Anna Williams]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/sp/68-news/411491-311742-williams-claims-victory-in-hd52-helfrich-isnt-conceding- |title=Williams claims victory in HD52; Helfrich isn't conceding |date=November 6, 2018 |first=Brittany |last=Allen|work=[[The Sandy Post]] |accessdate=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227224102/https://pamplinmedia.com/sp/68-news/411491-311742-williams-claims-victory-in-hd52-helfrich-isnt-conceding- |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/dist-rep-anna-williams-prepares-to-take-office/article_681edc32-9096-52f6-8249-5f5ea5b8255d.html |title=Dist. 52 Rep. Anna Williams prepares to take office|date=December 29, 2019|first=Emily|last=Fitzgerals|work=[[Hood River News]] |accessdate=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227224104/https://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/dist-rep-anna-williams-prepares-to-take-office/article_681edc32-9096-52f6-8249-5f5ea5b8255d.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, he lost a rematch with Williams.<ref name=green>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Aimee |title=Darcy Long, Jeff Helfrich in tight race for Oregon House seat representing Hood River, The Dalles |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/11/darcy-long-jeff-helfrich-in-tight-race-for-oregon-house-seat-representing-hood-river-the-dalles.html |access-date=12 September 2023 |work=[[The Oregonian]] |date=February 22, 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123193348/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/11/darcy-long-jeff-helfrich-in-tight-race-for-oregon-house-seat-representing-hood-river-the-dalles.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Williams retired and Helrich defeated Darcy Long to reclaim the seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/current-election.aspx|access-date=September 12, 2023|title=Current Election|publisher=Oregon Secretary of State|archive-date=September 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908072725/https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/pages/current-election.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2023, Helfrich was one of the few legislators to vote no on [https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB184 SB184].This legislation requires that payments made to independent contractors also be reported to the state of Oregon for child support collecting purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon Legislative Information System |url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Error |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=olis.oregonlegislature.gov}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SB 184 to Change Child Support Reporting Requirements |url=https://natlawreview.com/article/oregon-child-support-reporting-requirements-soon-will-include-employer-payments-to |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=natlawreview.com |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2023, Helfrich was elected minority leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, replacing [[Vikki Breese-Iverson]] who stepped down a week prior.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon House Republicans tap Rep. Jeff Helfrich as new minority leader |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/09/27/oregon-republican-party-gop-rep-vikki-breese-iverson-jeff-helfrich-minority-leader/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=opb |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001194328/https://www.opb.org/article/2023/09/27/oregon-republican-party-gop-rep-vikki-breese-iverson-jeff-helfrich-minority-leader/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change | title = [[2018 Oregon legislative election|2018 Oregon State Representative]], [[Oregon's 52nd House district|52nd district]]<ref>{{cite web | title = November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873825 | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = April 6, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406153942/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873825 | url-status = live }}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = [[Anna Williams (politician)|Anna Williams]] | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 16,135 | percentage = 51.4}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jeff Helfrich | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 15,238 | percentage = 48.5}} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 41 | percentage = 0.1}} {{Election box total no change | votes = 31,414 | percentage = 100%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = [[2020 Oregon House of Representatives election|2020 Oregon State Representative]], [[Oregon's 52nd House district|52nd district]]<ref>{{cite web | title = November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes | url = https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2020.pdf | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = November 12, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221112205917/https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2020.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = [[Anna Williams (politician)|Anna Williams]] | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 19,209 | percentage = 48.7}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jeff Helfrich | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 19,125 | percentage = 48.5}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Stephen D Alder | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 1,060 | percentage = 2.7}} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 26 | percentage = 0.1}} {{Election box total no change | votes = 39,420 | percentage = 100%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = [[2022 Oregon House of Representatives election|2022 Oregon State Representative]], [[Oregon's 52nd House district|52nd district]]<ref>{{cite web | title = November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes | url = https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2022.pdf | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = June 12, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230612205817/https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2022.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jeff Helfrich | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 16,994 | percentage = 52.5}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Darcy Long | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 15,360 | percentage = 47.4}} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 40 | percentage = 0.1}} {{Election box total no change | votes = 32,394 | percentage = 100%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = [[2024 Oregon House of Representatives election|2024 Oregon State Representative]], [[Oregon's 52nd House district|52nd district]]<ref>{{cite web | title = November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes | url = https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2024-results.pdf | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = December 12, 2024 | archive-date = December 12, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241212212240/https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-general-2024-results.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jeff Helfrich | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 18,958 | percentage = 51.8}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Nick Walden Poublon | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 17,573 | percentage = 48.1}} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 40 | percentage = 0.1}} {{Election box total no change | votes = 36,571 | percentage = 100%}} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * [http://www.jeffhelfrich.com Campaign website] *[https://www.facebook.com/JeffHelfrichfororegon Facebook page]
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-or-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Vikki Breese-Iverson]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the [[Oregon House of Representatives]]|years=2023–2025}} {{s-aft|after=[[Christine Drazan]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Oregon House of Representatives}} {{Portland Police Bureau}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helfrich, Jeff}} [[Category:1969 births]] [[Category:21st-century members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Oregon city council members]] [[Category:People from Hood River County, Oregon]] [[Category:Politicians from Hood River, Oregon]] [[Category:Portland Police Bureau officers]] [[Category:Republican Party members of the Oregon House of Representatives]] [[Category:United States Air Force airmen]] [[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Gulf War]]