Helena Hayes | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Member of the IowaHouseofRepresentatives from the 88th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Kerr |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Simpson College (B.A.) |
Helena Hayes is an American politician who has served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives for the 88th district since January 9,2023. [1] [2]
Hayes was born in Harrison County,Iowa. She earned a B.A. in environmental science and biology from Simpson College. [1]
A member of the Republican Party,Hayes ran for election to the Iowa House in 2022. She won the general election on November 8,2022,defeating her Democratic opponent Lisa Ossian. [1] [3] Hayes was reelected in 2024 in an uncontested race [4] and declared her candadcy for the 2026 race [5] where she is also running opposed.
In 2024,Hayes was the sponsor of a bill that passed in the House and allowed chaplains to work or volunteer in public schools.[ citation needed ] It would also place limits on the credentials school districts could require before they were eligible. [6] The bill was criticized by Democrats,including Sen. Trone Garriott,a former chaplain,as allowing unqualified individuals around children [7] and ultimately died in the Senate without being enacted.
In 2025,Hayes had a dispute with former Oskaloosa Community School Board President Charlie Comfort regarding the results of a re-audit after Comfort stated that no evidence of wrongdoing or fiscal misconduct by district staff was found. [8] [9] The audit was eventually published in 2026,and flagged procedural issues but found no fraud or wrongdoing by the Board. [10] [11]
In 2026,Hayes has been active in opposing a carbon pipeline in Iowa. [12] [13]