Elizabeth Helgelien mocked after her former mother-in-law calls her ‘worst congressional candidate'

CARSON CITY, NEVADA: A Nevada congressional candidate's ex-mother-in-law has asked that the politician withdraw from the election for "raising a teenage daughter who committed a brutal murder", after the teenager and her boyfriend admitted to killing the girl's father nearly three years ago.

Christine Halseth branded 41-year-old GOP candidate Elizabeth Helgelien, the "worst congressional candidate ever" in a blistering op-ed published last week in The Nevada Globe.

In the article, Halseth stated Helgelien's past was "more scandal-plagued and disturbing than any ad could ever convey: a past filled with infidelity, lies, abandoning constituents, and raising a teenage daughter who committed a brutal murder".

Who is Elizabeth Helgelian and what did her former mother-in-law accuse her of?

Per the New York Post, Helgelien's ex-husband Daniel Halseth, whose 16-year-old daughter Sierra and her boyfriend Aaron Guerrero stabbed him 70 times in April 2021, is the son of Christine Halseth.

Both of them pled guilty to nine counts each of murder and arson and were sentenced to life in prison in October 2022, with the chance of parole after 22 years.

Sierra Halseth claimed before her imprisonment that her father abused and physically assaulted her, which her mother, Elizabeth, had backed.

In May of last year, after declaring her candidacy for the House, Helgelien informed the Globe, “My daughter was abused by her father. That is a fact. That doesn’t excuse all of her actions. At the time, she was a minor and has taken responsibility like an adult. She is now facing the consequences like an adult.”

In retaliation, Christine Halseth claimed in last week's opinion piece that Sierra had convinced Daniel Halseth to return to Nevada from Texas in 2020 by "claiming she was experiencing mental and physical abuse at the hands of her mother [Helgelian]."

Christine Halseth said that in response to the girl's allegations of abuse by her father, an attorney for Guerrero informed her on the day the juvenile couple were sentenced, that after a comprehensive 18-month-long investigation, "Sierra never mentioned any abuse by her father, and all evidence indicated that Daniel was a caring and loving father."

Christine added that Elizabeth "had primary custody of the child for years and clearly failed in her role as a mother."

Christine recalled that "after my son discovered she was serially cheating on him during her time in Carson City [as a state senator] while he stayed home in Las Vegas as the breadwinner and to take care of their three young children," Elizabeth Helgelien and Daniel Halseth filed for divorce in 2012.

Christine continued, "It was quite the hypocritical turn for someone who was elected to state senate on a platform of family values and who called for then-US Sen John Ensign to resign after his extramarital affair became public."

Helgelien was elected to the Nevada State Senate in 2010, but resigned in February 2012, stating that she "simply cannot provide the level of service" to which her constituents were entitled.

Her resignation came after allegations from fellow politicians and conservative activists that she had failed to attend critical meetings and skipped phone calls.

“While Elizabeth couldn’t find time to complete her job duties, she did manage to pose nearly nude for Maxim magazine just three months after she stepped down in embarrassment from the legislature,” Christine Halseth observed sardonically.

"Elizabeth raised a murderer, and now she wants to be a member of Congress," Halseth remarked, adding in conclusion. "We cannot, in good conscience, allow Elizabeth Helgelian to represent honest, decent Americans in Congress."

Charges against Daniel Halseth that were overlooked in bombshell op-ed

Daniel Halseth was detained in October 2011 on suspicion of "open and gross lewdness," which is colloquially described as inappropriate touching, although this was not mentioned in the opinion piece.

Daniel Halseth was found guilty of two misdemeanor charges of coercion and battery and he received six months of probation, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

After the incident, Elizabeth remarried with Tiger Helgelien and returned to Nevada in 2018 following a stint in Alaska.

In 2018, she ran for a state Senate seat but lost in the Republican primary. This time, Elizabeth Helgelien is running for Nevada's 3rd congressional district against Democratic Rep Susie Lee.

This race is expected to be highly contested and will determine the House of Representatives leadership beginning in 2025.

Helgelien's main opponent in the GOP primary, scheduled for June 11, is Dan Schwartz, the former state Treasurer.

Internet weighes in on the controversy surrounding Elizabeth Helgelian

People on X shared their opinions and reactions to the bombshell op-ed where Helgelien's former mother-in-law has spoken out against the 41-year-old Republican House candidate and demanded she withdraw herself from the race for "raising a murderer".

One X user remarked: "Just scandalous! A lot going on with this family!"

Another user said: "Sounds about right. Meets the requirements for GOP."

Another user wrote: "GOP candidates have so much drama and baggage."

One person claimed: "Those credentials make her perfect for the maga crowd."

Another X user quipped: "Wow, a GOP rising star with some family drama? Can't imagine why voters would doubt such a reputable candidate! #GOPlove #familyfeud"

Finally, this user tweeted: "She seems..terrible."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.