Helena Hayes is a Republican representative for Iowa House District 88, which covers parts of Mahaska, Jefferson, and Keokuk Counties. Elected in 2022 and serving since January 9, 2023, she is self-employed, born in 1973 in Harrison County, raised in Persia, and resides in New Sharon with her husband Dan, three children, and one grandchild. Notable achievements include founding and chairing Protect My Innocence to counter the sexualization of children, serving on the Mahaska County Conservation Board as a naturalist, and leading 4-H activities as an organizational leader and poultry superintendent/youth judge. As a freshman legislator, she championed and passed bipartisan legislation in 2024 criminalizing the sexual exploitation of minors via AI-generated "deep fakes," signed into law by the Governor.

Education and Political Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science/biology from Simpson College
• Elected to Iowa House of Representatives for District 88 in 2022, defeating Democrat Lisa Ossian

Political Experience

• Committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee , Education, Veterans Affairs, Labor, International Relations, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection
• Mahaska County Conservation Board naturalist
• Mahaska County 4-H organizational leader, poultry superintendent, and youth judge
• Elementary science tutor and homeschool teacher
• Chair of Protect My Innocence advocacy group