Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

One last Jason Helland story

Posted in:

Illinois

* Kevin Solari of Shaw Media…

When he first decided to run for Illinois Secretary of State, Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland planned to run a fiscally responsible campaign. He purchased a used Ford Crown Victoria from the Elgin Police Department for $600 with every intention of driving it until it died.

And it did die, at the Love’s Truck Stop in Utica, one night in January as he was heading out to a State of the Union watch party in Henry County. Helland said he opened the hood to see a spark plug sitting on top of the engine.

“I wanted to prove to the taxpayers of the state of Illinois that you need to live within your means and government needs to live within its means and I was driving that car to prove that,” he said.

He was stuck, not even his wife would pick him up. He soon bought a new Ford Fiesta, but even that broke down by election night.

Looks like he was proved wrong about living within your means, especially since not even his own wife would pick him up.

By the way, Helland, who lobbed several ageist attacks against Jesse White, lost his home county to the incumbent by about 1,200 votes.

Who’s the joke now, Jason?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:14 pm

Comments

No love in Grundy County, huh? Stunning development. /s

Comment by Just Because You Can Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Poor guy tumbled.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:19 pm
Kinda scary that whether someone is charged with a crime in that county is wholly at his discretion.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:25 pm
Jason Helland will be remembered as the forgotten candidate who ran against the beloved Jesse White…

… then it will be recalled how Helland ran.

Maybe Helland should hope to be forgotten.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:27 pm
You can’t race uncle Jesse in no broke down ole beater! Smh

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:33 pm
Was he on that ballot? The name doesn’t ring a bell.

See there? I already forgot who you are.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:36 pm
=== No love for Grundy… ===

Not for the sheriff deputies who sit on 47 right before you get to the 55 on ramp. /s

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:36 pm
Who is Jason Helland?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:46 pm
That’s who *was* Jason Helland.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Had displeasure of meeting Jason Helland once. Struck me as an arrogant blowhard with nothing to back it up. Empty suit. Loser.

Comment by GOPgal Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:50 pm
–He was stuck, not even his wife would pick him up.–

There’s probably an interesting story there. Unlike the one that was published.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 1:58 pm
Earlier in the article, he boasts putting in 80-hour days and 70,000 miles…then mentions not doing door-to-door in Grundy (his own) county.

Given his political acumen, I suggest Jason take some classes on car maintenance.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Helland said he predicted one year ago he would only get 30% to 35% of the vote…if he really thought that was all he would get and he knew he would lose, why on earth did he run? Jesse White was already committed to running for reelection when Helland announced he was running in October 2017, but he still jumped in to a race he claims he knew he would lose badly.

Comment by Cyprian Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 2:14 pm
http://www.familiesagainsthelland.com

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 2:50 pm
“Rauner was not a good politician.”

Now you tell me!

Comment by Anon E Moose Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:05 pm
As God is my witness, I swear I thought Helland was the manager of the Eagle Food Store in Morris, not SA.

Whoops.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:18 pm
I agree with GOPGal. My assessment upon meeting him in ‘16 was that the best way for him to lose votes was to meet people. He exuded that sort of pomposity that leaves you wondering how he manages to feel so self-assured.

Comment by Woah, but in a Keanu Reeves voice Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:38 pm
He bought a new car instead of installing a spark plug? very strange. and it was sitting on top of the engine? Maybe his wife did it lol /s

Comment by NoGifts Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:39 pm
This is a campaign reminiscent of the famous penny-pinching William Proxmire, except:
1. People actually admired Proxmire.
2. He ran successful campaigns on a tight budget.
3. His wife probably would have picked him up at Love’s.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:48 pm
There are openings coming up in the Trump power hour. Seems like he might fit in that camp.

Comment by flea Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 3:54 pm
I have to say thaf after reading the full article I have a new found respect for Helland. He’s the rare candidate who actually does what he says he would do - lose.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 8:11 pm
Rich, you are way too gleefull about the democrat win. I thought reporters were all supposed to be non-partisan…Definitely sure Capitol Fax is biased.

Comment by Palatine Pop Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:01 pm
PP…you must be new here. Also, please follow the link Rich included about “joke”…you might learn something.

Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Nov 14, 18 @ 9:25 pm
Rich gave Helland good advice. Calling him a joke was mean. Still I feel sorry for anyone with car trouble in January. Brrr.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 6:07 am