Son of Disgraced Delegate To Run For House

REMMINGTON CITY, REM--Michael Helgin, the son of former Delegate Dave Helgin (NAT), who resigned last year in the midst of a sex scandal, says he will run for Remmington's House Seat Pos. 7.

"I am here to declare my candidacy for the House of Delegates," Helgin said.

The 29-year-old Helgin made the announcement yesterday in Remmington City. At the press conference, he denied that his father's scandal and subsequent criminal trial, which is still in progress, will affect his candidacy negatively.

Helgin went on to say Remmington needs some "strong leadership" and "good, clean, Nationalist values in Congress."

After his announcement, reporters immediately questioned him about his father's scandal.

"Will it impact me negatively? No, I don't think so. I'm a different person, and people know that," Helgin commented.

Helgin's father, former Dlg. Dave Helgin, resigned from his seat in September 2006, after a then-17-year-old girl came forward and told police she and the delegate had had sex on several occasions over the course of two years, while he was in office and while she was a minor.

The girl, who was not identified at the time because she was 16, has now been identified as 18-year-old Jennifer McMahon, of Redmand, Remmington. McMahon first met Helgin while on a school trip to the Capitol in Mavocke. After the trip, she decided to do an internship at the delegate's Redmand office. Because of her internship position at his office, she was able to meet the delegate several more times. McMahon says a relationship began, and the delegate and her had sexual encounters several times at his Redmand office. She also told police that on two occasions, the delegate drove her to Mavocke, where they had sex in a hotel there as well. In addition, McMahon says Helgin drove her to Damoign three times, where they also had sex at hotels and in public parks.

Helgin initially denied the allegations when they surfaced in August 2006, and refused to resign. However, McMahon's story became more damaging, and pressure mounted on Helgin from fellow NATs and Conservatives. In September, he finally submitted his resignation. Remmington Gov. Michael Killings (CON) nominated state Representative Jared Lanman (CON), the son of Sec. of Foreign Affairs Richard Lanman, to fill Helgin's seat until his election in 2010. Lanman was confirmed by the Remmington State House of Delegates.

In March of this year, Dave Helgin was indicted on several charges, including nine counts of sex with a minor, eight counts of lewd conduct, and five counts of driving a minor across state lines to commit a crime. His trial is currently underway in Lincoln County, Damoign. He could face up to 8 years in prison.

Helgin admits to having sex with McMahon, but he insists she consented on every occasion. McMahon agrees that she consented, but says she was too young to make a sound decision. Prosecutors say even if McMahon did consent, Mr. Helgin took advantage of a minor and should not have broken the law anyway. McMahon told the jury in the case that she was consenting and wasn't angry at Helgin. Her parents, Stephen and Stephanie McMahon, are the ones that pressed charges at the time.

Despite all of the scandal surrounding his father, Michael Helgin says he still stands by his dad and supports him.

"I still love my dad and I believe he made some mistakes but he is a changed person, and I support him. I'm going to support him no matter what," the younger Helgin said.

Helgin's announced candidacy has already made him a pinata for late-night television comedians, newspaper columnists and pundits.

Mark Moreno, host of 'Lights Out With Mark Moreno' on GNN, who is a fellow Remmingtonian himself, poked fun at Helgin's candidacy.

"Is this guy serious? He's basically saying, yes, my father is a pedophile and rapist, but I'm still going to run. And in Remmington of all places? The most conservative state in the country? Come on! I mean, rape is only allowed there if it is incest," Moreno said jokingly.

Helgin himself laughed off the jokes, saying, "I can understand if people are uncomfortable with this. But they shouldn't judge me because of my dad. We're two separate people."

If he wins the NAT nomination, Helgin will likely face Conservative Congressman Richard "Skipp" Magnet.