Pamela A. Helming (born February 18, 1962) is an American politician from the state of New York. A
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, Helming has represented
Senate District 54 in the
New York State Senate since 2017. Prior to her election to the State Senate, Helming served as the town supervisor for
Canandaigua, New York
Canandaigua (; ''Utaʼnaráhkhwaʼ'' in Tuscarora) is a city in Ontario County, New York, United States. Its population was 10,545 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Ontario County; some administrative offices are at the county complex ...
. She was elected to that post in 2014.
Life and career
A graduate of
Hiram College
Hiram College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Hiram, Ohio. It was founded in 1850 as the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute by Amos Sutton Hayden and other members of the Disciples of Christ Church. The college is nonsectarian and c ...
, Helming's career has been focused on individuals with
developmental disabilities
Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions, comprising mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood. Developmental disabilities cause individuals living with them many difficulties in certain areas of life, espe ...
, including those who reside in
group homes
A group home, congregate living facility, or care home (the latter especially in British English and Australian English) is a residence model of medical care for those with complex health needs. Traditionally, the model has been used for children ...
. She and her husband, Gary Helming, have resided in the
Canandaigua, New York
Canandaigua (; ''Utaʼnaráhkhwaʼ'' in Tuscarora) is a city in Ontario County, New York, United States. Its population was 10,545 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Ontario County; some administrative offices are at the county complex ...
area for over thirty years and have raised their two children there.
Helming was first elected to local office in 2010 as a town councilperson. In 2014, she was elected a Town Supervisor from Canandaigua, which elevated her to the county level of government.
New York State Senate
In 2016, twenty-four year incumbent Sen.
Michael Nozzolio announced his impending retirement from the State Senate due to health concerns. Sen. Nozzolio represented Senate District 54. Although competitive on paper, Senate District 54 was seen as friendly to Republicans. Five candidates sought the GOP nomination for State Senate in Senate District 54 in 2016. In a tight race with very low turnout, Helming received a plurality of 33% of the vote and won the primary by 210 votes.
In the 2016 general election, Helming faced Democrat Kenan S. Baldridge as well as Floyd G. Rayburn, who had come in second to Helming in the Republican primary but continued his candidacy on the Reform Party line. Helming prevailed with over 60% of the vote.
Helming was reelected in 2018 and again in 2020 with over 60% of the vote.
See also
*
List of New York state senators
References
External links
Senator Pam Helming official site*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helming, Pam
Living people
Politicians from Canandaigua, New York
Hiram College alumni
Town supervisors in New York (state)
Republican Party New York (state) state senators
Women state legislators in New York (state)
21st-century American politicians
21st-century American women politicians
1962 births