Legislature - District 02 P26


Dean Helmick

Republican

Contacted by resident of the district.
02/20/26, 10:35am, Reached candidate via phone, agreed to look at questions
02/20/26, 10:53am, emailed access link,  resent at 9:06 
02/23/26, 10:32am, Sent follow up text.  Candidate hadn't had time yet
03/03/26, 2:10pm, Sent a follow up text message 
03/09/26, 11:23am, Phone call to candidate; 
03/11/26, 12:48pm, Candidate called director
03/11/26, 2:20pm, Emailed "paper" version of questionnaire
03/19/26, 10:02am, Sent follow up text message regarding status.
03/19/26, 10:20am, Candidate responded, he is working on it.
Answers submitted online March 27, 2026 @ 1:38 PM.

Caitlin Knutson

Democrat

Contacted by resident of the district.
02/20/26, 10:35am, Called her phone number and left a voicemail message.
02/23/26, 10:44am, Left voicemail message.  Sent text asking to set a time to talk on the phone.
02/24/26, 6:22pm, Sent a follow up text message requesting to talk on the phone.
03/03/26, 2:12pm, Left voicemail message on her personal cell.  And sent text message requesting contact.
03/09/26, 3:02pm, Left voicemail message and sent text message following up.
03/19/26, 10:00am, Sent text message requesting contact.
03/20/26, 12:35pm, Emailed access link from office
03/24/26, 1:34pm, texted to ask why not answering

Jayden Speed

Democrat

Contacted by resident of District 2.
02/20/26, 10:36am, Called his cell number (home) and left a voicemail message
02/23/26, 10:34am, Tried to phone him - message said he had restrictions and I could not get through or even leave a message.  Sent a text message asking to set a time to talk by phone.
02/23/26, 4:26pm, Reached Jayden by phone:  He agreed to fill out the questionnaire by the first week of March.  Sent the Dear Candidate letter to him.
03/03/26, 2:11pm, Sent a follow up text message checking on status and inquiring if there are any questions.
03/09/26, 2:18pm, Sent follow up text message and called candidate.
03/19/26, 10:01am, Sent follow up text message regarding status.
03/20/26, 12:52pm, emailed access link from office
03/24/26, 1:41pm, texted to ask why not answering

Job Description

How office affects the voter

Almost any decision the Legislature makes will affect many, if not most voters. They are the law makers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Simply stated in Article III-30 of the Nebraska Constitution, “The Legislature shall pass all laws necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this constitution.” The list of standing committees reveals the categories in which bills are created, discussed and some eventually become laws. Agriculture, Appropriations, Banking, Commerce and Insurance, Business and Labor, Education, General Affairs, Government, Military and Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Nebraska Retirement Systems, Revenue, Transportation and Telecommunications, and Urban Affairs. Special committees can be created as needed. The Legislature has a lot of power but is limited by what laws are managed locally at city and county level. (Page 16 Nebraska Constitution) They also do not have authority over schools. They do have authority to act in an emergency if there is an international enemy attack.

See Complete Description

Job Description

How office affects the voter

Almost any decision the Legislature makes will affect many, if not most voters. They are the law makers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Simply stated in Article III-30 of the Nebraska Constitution, “The Legislature shall pass all laws necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this constitution.” The list of standing committees reveals the categories in which bills are created, discussed and some eventually become laws. Agriculture, Appropriations, Banking, Commerce and Insurance, Business and Labor, Education, General Affairs, Government, Military and Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Nebraska Retirement Systems, Revenue, Transportation and Telecommunications, and Urban Affairs. Special committees can be created as needed. The Legislature has a lot of power but is limited by what laws are managed locally at city and county level. (Page 16 Nebraska Constitution) They also do not have authority over schools. They do have authority to act in an emergency if there is an international enemy attack.

Requirements for the position

Must be a registered voter, at least 21 years old. Must have resided within the district for one year before his or her election. Must not hold any office under the authority of the United States, or any lucrative office under the authority of Nebraska.

Other information

Salary: $12,000/year. Many recommend having the abilities to communicate and negotiate.

Term of office

4 years, with no more than 2 consecutive terms.

Partisan?

Nonpartisan

When election is held

Odd-numbered districts voted on in Presidential elections, even-numbered districts voted on in Gubernatorial elections.

Links

Douglas County Election Site information, Nebraska Constitution-330 references, Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 50



How office affects the voter

Almost any decision the Legislature makes will affect many, if not most voters. They are the law makers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Simply stated in Article III-30 of the Nebraska Constitution, “The Legislature shall pass all laws necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this constitution.” The list of standing committees reveals the categories in which bills are created, discussed and some eventually become laws. Agriculture, Appropriations, Banking, Commerce and Insurance, Business and Labor, Education, General Affairs, Government, Military and Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Nebraska Retirement Systems, Revenue, Transportation and Telecommunications, and Urban Affairs. Special committees can be created as needed. The Legislature has a lot of power but is limited by what laws are managed locally at city and county level. (Page 16 Nebraska Constitution) They also do not have authority over schools. They do have authority to act in an emergency if there is an international enemy attack.

Requirements for the position

Must be a registered voter, at least 21 years old. Must have resided within the district for one year before his or her election. Must not hold any office under the authority of the United States, or any lucrative office under the authority of Nebraska.

Other information

Salary: $12,000/year. Many recommend having the abilities to communicate and negotiate.

Term of office

4 years, with no more than 2 consecutive terms.

Partisan?

Nonpartisan

When election is held

Odd-numbered districts voted on in Presidential elections, even-numbered districts voted on in Gubernatorial elections.

Links

Douglas County Election Site information, Nebraska Constitution-330 references, Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 50