Dan Helmer
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Daniel "Dan" Isaac Helmer (born September 27, 1981) is a U.S. Army veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Rhodes Scholar, and a Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District[1][2] in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The tightly contested and far-flung district includes all or parts of Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Clarke and Frederick counties. Dubbed a "gerrymandered monstrosity,"[3] the region is a mix of rural, suburban, conservative, and liberal voters. Although it has voted Republican since 1980,[4] its shifting demographics have recently established it as a battleground district.[5]
Helmer is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge the current representative, Republican Barbara Comstock, in the November midterm election.
"Helmer Zone" video[edit]
An online-only campaign video entitled “Helmer Zone” unexpectedly went viral in September 2017, climbing to number four on the YouTube trending list within 24 hours.[6] Reactions to the video, in which Helmer spoofed the film “Top Gun,” complete with offkey singing, were mixed. As the Daily Beast noted, “The internet quickly dubbed it one of the worst campaign ads of all time. But Helmer’s eyeball-gouging chorus never leaves your head…. which seems to be the point.”[7]
Career[edit]
After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Helmer was deployed to Iraq.[1] His status as the only Arabic speaker in his squadron led to his assignment as an assistant intelligence officer.[8] During his deployment in Afghanistan in 2007, Helmer became aware of concerns about the training of Afghan officers. His presentation on counterinsurgency training, requested by his commanding general, led to his being charged with establishing a national training center for American military advisors, U.S. commanders, and Coalition and Afghan Officers. Helmer has cited this accomplishment as the highest of his military career.[9]
Prior to his Afghanistan employment, Helmer earned a Masters in Philosophy of International Relations and philosophy at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.[2]
Helmer was employed as a business strategist at the Boston Consulting Group and has continued his military service in the Army Reserves, where he was selected in 2017 for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.[10]
During his active duty career, Helmer attained the rank of Army Major, where his record led him to be promoted “double below the zone,” i.e., at the earliest possible opportunity. In 2008, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Afghanistan.
Personal[edit]
Helmer was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey.[11] He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Military History and Arabic.[10] In 2005, Helmer married Karen Bonin, a public school teacher. [11] The couple and their two young sons have lived in Fairfax, VA, in the 10th Congressional District since 2013, after Helmer was stationed in Northern Virginia by the U.S. Army.[8]
Helmer, who is Jewish, has cited his grandparents as inspiration for his public service: His paternal grandmother, who fled Europe in 1939, was the only family member to survive the Holocaust. His maternal grandmother escaped Communist Poland for Berlin after World War II. All eventually settled in the United States.“I was devastated at the state of our politics and shocked at the outcome of the [2016] election,” he said. “I’m the son of an immigrant, I’m the grandson of refugees, and my wife and I want the country that welcomed us here to still be here for our sons.”[1]
References[edit]
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