Dylan Helmenstine
Former auditor and financial analyst for Wisconsin Medicaid programs; candidate for office; coffee shop barista
Democrat
Black Earth
Elected Experience
Wisconsin Heights School Board (2023-present); Village of Black Earth Board (2024-present)
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you as state treasurer?
Voters should elect Dylan Helemenstine to be the state treasurer because he has the plan, energy, and experience to put the office back to work for the people of Wisconsin. He grew up in a rural community, returned home after earning a master’s of public affairs, and has been elected to the school board, village board, and president of the local EMS district. He also served as a National Guard citizen commander during the pandemic, and as an auditor and financial analyst for Wisconsin Medicaid. As treasurer, he will use public power for the public good. He will bring government transparency into the 21st century, defend public education, and protect & grow the common school trust fund.
What expertise would you bring to the treasurer’s office and how would it help Wisconsinites?
Dylan Helmenstine has worked as an auditor and financial analyst for Wisconsin Medicaid programs, helps oversee the state’s public pension system as a Governor’s Appointee to the Teachers’ Retirement Board of Wisconsin, and serves as a school board member, village trustee, and former EMS district president in his local community. These experiences have shown Dylan that our systems are not built for us. Instead, they are made to be controlled by consultants, special interests, and corporations. As state treasurer, he will use public power for the public good. He will defend public education, safeguard Wisconsin’s trust funds, and bring transparency into the 21st century, so Wisconsinites can clearly see where their money goes and trust that it’s working for them.
Should the Treasurer’s office be given more or fewer responsibilities? Explain.
It’s not about whether the treasurer's office should be given more or fewer responsibilities. It’s about whether the office is doing enough for Wisconsin communities as a statewide office. In 2018, Wisconsinites made it clear that they wanted to keep an independent Treasurer because they expect the office to stand up for them and use its platform to serve the public good. The treasurer’s office can bring people together, lift up local ideas, and push for practical reforms and solutions. Sarah Godlewski showed what that looks like by using the office to support affordable housing, college savings, and retirement security. Dylan will build on that model by using the office’s statewide reach to increase transparency, protect public trust funds, and better support communities across Wisconsin.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
One of my favorite fun Wisconsin history facts is how much our geography shaped everyday life. In southwest Wisconsin, the Driftless Area’s hills and valleys meant towns were more isolated, so rural communities ended up building a lot of small, local school districts so kids could more easily get to school. That history still shows up today in the challenges rural schools face, like closures, long transportation routes, and limited access to services. It’s part of the reason I care so much about making sure rural communities aren’t left behind.