Dean Helmick

Dean Helmick served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 2024.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Dean Helmick, I live south of Plattsmouth, and I am running for Legislature District 2. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 44 years. We have two sons and five grandkids – all living in Nebraska.

I was born and raised in a small town in Southwestern Montana. I spent over four decades, working for the Air Force in Active Duty, Contractor, and Civilian roles. In addition to leadership, the military taught me how to build and execute a plan—from launching satellites, through the invasion of Iraq, to years working as a USSTRATCOM Division Chief in Nebraska. I have experience solving problems that aren’t in the book and getting things done. I’ll carry this experience into the Unicameral. I also have a solid education foundation, with a Bachelors in History, Bachelors in Political Science, Masters in Public Administration, and I’m a graduate of a Senior Executive Fellowship at Harvard’s JFK School of Government.

After four decades working for the Air Force and serving our country, I’m running for the Legislature to continue serving the people of District 2 and the people of Nebraska. I’m committed to defending our Constitutional rights, reducing our tax burden, and helping bring down the cost of everyday life for Nebraska families.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My top three priorities in the Legislature are:

1)

Control Spending – there is no tax relief unless we first control spending2)

Control Regulations – over regulation stifles growth and increases costs3)

Keep an eye on the future – invest in safety, security, and infrastructure for our grandchildren and their children

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety and security.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My late parents. The Air Force Core Values are: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Long before I learned this in the Air Force, Mom and Dad showed me what those values look like in everyday life. I will serve every day in the Legislature in a way that I know would’ve made them proud. That being, I will approach every challenge with the utmost integrity, honesty, dedication and commitment. It’s what Nebraska deserves and quite frankly it’s what Nebraskans should insist on from all elected officials.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Our elected officials should, first and foremost, be persons of sound character. They have a responsibility to represent the people, with integrity, honesty, dedication and commitment. Above all, every elected official must always remember, they work for the people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The American political system is a Representative Democracy. As a Legislator, my job is to roll up my sleeves, serve with integrity, work to understand the issues, and vote in a way that well and faithfully represents my constituents. Serving in the Legislature will be my fulltime job.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A wise politician said we all have obligations in life. The first obligation is to care for our family. Once that is done, we all have an obligation to serve those around us. So, my legacy is my family. I work to ensure they are all persons of sound character and long after I’m gone, I hope they are still saying that dad/granddad always said to take care of yourself, take care of each other, and serve your community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first regular job was sweeping floors and dumping trash, at a local hardware store and office. This was 1-hour a day, 6-days a week. I had this job from 5th – 7th grade at which time I traded up to a better paying box boy job at the local grocery store. My parents taught me the importance of hard work and since 5th grade, I’ve never been unemployed.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The Governor is the State’s Chief Executive who enforces laws and approves/vetoes legislation. The Legislature makes laws, allocates funds and provides oversight of the Executive Branch. By design, each branch has checks and balances on the other. As does the Court and with Nebraska’s unique Unicameral System—so do the people. With all this, I believe both the Governor and members of the Legislature want what is best for Nebraska. Ideally, there is a professional relationship between the Governor and Legislature that enables them to work together for the good of all Nebraskans.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The greatest challenge facing Nebraska is affordability for working families. The cost of housing, groceries, and everyday expenses continue to rise, while the State Government continues to face budget shortfalls.

We cannot solve these challenges by simply increasing taxes or spending more government money. Nebraska must grow its economy, create good-paying jobs, keep more people in our state, and make sure the government lives within its means. By controlling spending, we can protect taxpayers and ensure hardworking Nebraskans get to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Nebraska deserves leaders who are ready to roll up their sleeves and find practical solutions to our challenges. While some may look to higher taxes and more government spending, I will remain focused on growing our economy, cutting waste, and making Nebraska a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Our Representative Democracy is the greatest form of government ever devised by mankind. Three of my favorite words in the U.S. Constitution are We The People. In order to protect and preserve our form of government, representatives must work together for Nebraska’s greater good. For over 40 years with the Air Force, I worked with people from every part of America. Working together, we accomplished some truly challenging things. I’ll carry these skills into the Legislature.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

National Representatives: Senator Pete Ricketts, Congressman Mike Flood.

State Representatives: Governor Jim Pillen, Former Governor Dave Heineman, Former Governor Kay Orr, Former Lt Governor and State Auditor Mike Foley, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, and Senator Rob Clements.

County and Local Officials: Cass County Commissioners Duane Murdoch and Alex Degarmo, Cass County Sheriff Robert Sorenson, Plattsmouth Mayor Paul Lambert, and Louisville Mayor Rod Peterson.

Organizations: Farm Bureau.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

NASA’s Apollo program. One day before I started grade school, our babysitter rounded up all the kids and had us watch one of NASA’s Apollo events. She told us that her husband, a high school principal, was making all the kids at school watch this on TV and that we’d remember it forever. I also remember watching Apollo events in the evening with my Dad telling all the kids what was happening. Little did I know that 30 years later I would be an Operations Commander, launching rockets on America’s Western Test Range in California. America’s Space Program is a beacon of greatness for the entire world, and I will always remember watching the historic Apollo events on a grainy little black and white TV screen.