Helsel Takes Oath as New Delegate

By Meredith Rigsby, Capital News Service Thursday, March 10, 2011

Gordon Helsel, the 91st house district's newest representative, speaks to those who gathered yesterday to attend his swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. At right is clerk of the House of Delegates Bruce Jamerson.

Helsel, who replaced retiring Delegate Tom Gear, ran unopposed for the seat in a special election Tuesday. According to the State Board of Elections, Helsel received 98 percent of the 2,160 votes cast in the district, which includes Poquoson and parts of York County and the city of Hampton.

House Speaker William J. Howell of Stafford said Helsel is “an ideal addition to our once again 61-member-strong House Republican majority. Like so many, I look forward to serving with Delegate Helsel in his latest leadership position.”

Howell appointed Helsel to the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee and the House Science and Technology Committee. Helsel also will fill Gear’s position on the Fort Monroe Authority Board of Trustees.

The State Board of Elections signed papers certifying Helsel’s victory at the polls at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. At 5 p.m. in the House chamber, the clerk of the House of Delegates, Bruce Jamerson, swore in Helsel, officially making him the representative of House District 91.

“Thank you to those who came from Hampton and Poquoson. All you folks have been so helpful to me,” Helsel said. “I had a great conversation with the speaker of the House this morning, and he’s built a great team. So thank you very much.”

The district had been without a representative since December, when Gear stepped down for health and family reasons.

Republicans selected Helsel as their nominee during a four-way firehouse primary in January. The Democrats did not contest for the seat.

Helsel joins the House in time to participate in a special session in April when legislators will redraw political districts. He will have to run again in November for a full two-year term in the House.

Helsel was born in Hampton and grew up in Poquoson. He received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for his service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. After the service, he acquired and operated the York Box and Barrel Manufacturing Company, Inc., a container company supplying the region’s seafood industry.

In 2001, Helsel retired from the company, now run by his sons, Scott and Brian.

In a press release, Howell said Helsel “combines distinguished service in business, the military and government with an energetic style and common-sense approach to problem solving.

“As a dedicated proponent of keeping taxes competitively low and expanding job-creating opportunities, Gordon possesses not only a valuable understanding of these and other central issues but also a desire to advance practical solutions that produce real results for those he serves,” the House speaker said.

Gov. Bob McDonnell, a fellow Republican, also congratulated Helsel on winning the House seat.

“In Gordon Helsel, the citizens of the 91st District again chose a strong, dedicated voice to fight for keeping taxes low and ensuring that our state government is limited, efficient and responsive,” McDonnell said in a statement.

“I know his primary focus will be the expansion of economic opportunity throughout the district. I congratulate the voters on their selection, and look forward to working with Gordon on the many important issues facing our commonwealth.”