Erik Helland

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]

Helland worked for a bank as a compliance officer.^[1] and became an Iowa field staffer for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.^[4] In 2008, he decided to run to represent the 69th district in the Iowa House of Representatives,^[1] 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.^[4] 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.^[4]

Helland was the Iowa state director for Tim Pawlenty's 2012 presidential campaign.^[4] 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.^[5] His Committee assignments included Administration and Rules, Legislative Council, Local Government, State Government and Ways and Means.^{[citation needed]}

Between 2013 and 2023 Helland ran a business, which deals with Medicaid appeals in Alaska.^[2] In 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed him as a member to the Public Employment Relations Board until 2024,^[6] and in 2021, she appointed him as a chair to the Public Employment Relations Board until 2022.^[7] even though the Iowa Senate did not confirm him. State senators never voted on Helland's nomination, since the Governor withdrew his nomination at the end of the 2021 legislative session and "played musical chairs with"the Public Employment Relations Board.^[8] In 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed him Chair of the Iowa Utilities Board.^[2]