Helen Raikes
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile*
Liberal (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Helen Raikes
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Board of Educ., Dist. 5
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, PhD, 1982
Iowa Stare University, Ames, Iowa, Journalism, 1966
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Board Member, Sixpence Early Childhood Endowment
Board Member, Ashland-Greenwood Communities for Kids, C0-Chair
LIncoln Community Foundation, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Committee Appointments by three Nebraska Governors, including Early Childhood Endowment and others., 2001- 2020
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Nebraska Unicameral, 2020
Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, 2018
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Nebraska State Teachers Association
AFL/CIO
Farmers' Union
Women Who Run Nebraska
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Al Davis (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)
Bob Kerrey (2013)
Brad Ashford (2014)
Chuck Hassebrook (2014)
Hillary Clinton (2016)
Kate Bolz (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2020)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2020)
Jane Raybould (2020)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
Rick Kolowski (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Neutral
It should be up to the local school to find the best referrals in their community and to establish their own health policies. I am a strong believer in local control and as a member of the State School Board I would not dictate to schools which providers should be selected in their own community.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Neutral
It should be up to the local school to find the best referrals in their community and to establish their own health policies. I am a strong believer in local control and as a member of the State School Board I would not dictate to schools which providers should be selected in their own community.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When the mothers' life is in danger, when a woman is a victim of rape or incest, if the fetus has died. The decision to have an abortion is a very difficult one--to me it is a moral dilemma--and it should be a private one between a woman, her family. her doctor and her pastor/priest.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When the mothers' life is in danger, when a woman is a victim of rape or incest, if the fetus has died. The decision to have an abortion is a very difficult one--to me it is a moral dilemma--and it should be a private one between a woman, her family. her doctor and her pastor/priest.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
I selected neutral because I think the government should provide a safety net. But I far prefer for the government involvement, if need be, to be in preparing individuals to earn their own livable income.
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
I selected neutral because I think the government should provide a safety net. But I far prefer for the government involvement, if need be, to be in preparing individuals to earn their own livable income.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
The purpose of public education is to prepare an individual for livelihood, further study and to live in a democracy. Our government has always funded the common schools to ensure an educated populace. Some might quibble with our institutions of higher learning being funded by government but our public and private universities are among the best in the world and offer choices between higher priced schools and lower-cost public schools. This enables educating the populace. So, in addition to funding public education Pre-K through G12, i think government should be contributing to funding through college, at least the first four years. I support government funding for community colleges as these schools provide for training, trades and technical education. Thus, the student receives skills but also society benefits and needs the skills they are learning (e.g., electricians, welders, chefs). When it comes to the above question, I think the government should provide a safety net but better yet that everyone has a contribution and skills so they can earn their own livable income.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
The purpose of public education is to prepare an individual for livelihood, further study and to live in a democracy. Our government has always funded the common schools to ensure an educated populace. Some might quibble with our institutions of higher learning being funded by government but our public and private universities are among the best in the world and offer choices between higher priced schools and lower-cost public schools. This enables educating the populace. So, in addition to funding public education Pre-K through G12, i think government should be contributing to funding through college, at least the first four years. I support government funding for community colleges as these schools provide for training, trades and technical education. Thus, the student receives skills but also society benefits and needs the skills they are learning (e.g., electricians, welders, chefs). When it comes to the above question, I think the government should provide a safety net but better yet that everyone has a contribution and skills so they can earn their own livable income.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Disagree
I do not like government overreach. Who one marries or loves belongs to the private domain. I do not think governments should be telling people how to live their private lives. I am not sure how any definition of marriage is supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Disagree
I do not like government overreach. Who one marries or loves belongs to the private domain. I do not think governments should be telling people how to live their private lives. I am not sure how any definition of marriage is supported with taxpayer or public funds.
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Agree
Our country was founded on principles of freedom of religion and separatation of church and state. Many of our founding fathers families came to America to escape the long arm of government in their religious lives. Today, there are many religions in our country. Personnally, I love the Ten Commandments because I am Christian. Displaying the Commandments in schools and courthouses violates separation of church and state. It also leaves behind other religous traditions.
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Agree
Our country was founded on principles of freedom of religion and separatation of church and state. Many of our founding fathers families came to America to escape the long arm of government in their religious lives. Today, there are many religions in our country. Personnally, I love the Ten Commandments because I am Christian. Displaying the Commandments in schools and courthouses violates separation of church and state. It also leaves behind other religous traditions.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
Students have rights under the 1st Amendment and freedom of speech is one. Speaking freely and civilly should always be a right. They have the right to express their views but not to impose them upon others. They also learn by putting their beliefs and ideas out and hearing others' responses. Discourse, civil arguments are tremendous learning devices.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
Students have rights under the 1st Amendment and freedom of speech is one. Speaking freely and civilly should always be a right. They have the right to express their views but not to impose them upon others. They also learn by putting their beliefs and ideas out and hearing others' responses. Discourse, civil arguments are tremendous learning devices.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
A strong military is a factor in detering aggression but peace is also maintained by building relationships with other countries, and through diplomacy. Though your ratings would falsely say otherwise, I am a true moderate so my responses will often be in the middle. Using donations from past elections to establish where I am on the spectrum is not credible. So the overall rating is not credible.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate was allowed to complete the iVoterGuide questionnaire after panel evaluations occurred. For more information on candidate evaluations, please see our Candidate Evaluation page.
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
A strong military is a factor in detering aggression but peace is also maintained by building relationships with other countries, and through diplomacy. Though your ratings would falsely say otherwise, I am a true moderate so my responses will often be in the middle. Using donations from past elections to establish where I am on the spectrum is not credible. So the overall rating is not credible.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate was allowed to complete the iVoterGuide questionnaire after panel evaluations occurred. For more information on candidate evaluations, please see our Candidate Evaluation page.
EDUCATION
Every state should mandate K-12 standardized tests and the use of teaching software which aligns with Common Core standards.
Disagree
I do not think every state has to adopt the Common Core. Nebraska has not and Nebraska's outcomes continuously put the state in the top ten. I do think that every state needs standards in required areas such as Math, Language Arts, etc. but they do not need to Common Core. A state should have a way of measuring whether the standards are being met; some form of testing is useful to the state and should be made useful to the teachers for instruction. Software aligned? Let teachers be creative.
Every state should mandate K-12 standardized tests and the use of teaching software which aligns with Common Core standards.
Disagree
I do not think every state has to adopt the Common Core. Nebraska has not and Nebraska's outcomes continuously put the state in the top ten. I do think that every state needs standards in required areas such as Math, Language Arts, etc. but they do not need to Common Core. A state should have a way of measuring whether the standards are being met; some form of testing is useful to the state and should be made useful to the teachers for instruction. Software aligned? Let teachers be creative.
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely, parents should always be able to choose the best educational options for their child.
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely, parents should always be able to choose the best educational options for their child.
Before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), they must opt-in with written parental permission.
Choose not to answer
Schools and the parents within them are under the auspice of local control; schools should and do have policies for participation in controversial areas. I choose not to answer because I do not know any schools who have these courses. Schools choose their own health curricula and every school I know has procedures for informing parents about "the talk", giving parents a chance to review materials, inviting parents to sit in, and to opt out their child.
Before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), they must opt-in with written parental permission.
Choose not to answer
Schools and the parents within them are under the auspice of local control; schools should and do have policies for participation in controversial areas. I choose not to answer because I do not know any schools who have these courses. Schools choose their own health curricula and every school I know has procedures for informing parents about "the talk", giving parents a chance to review materials, inviting parents to sit in, and to opt out their child.
I support the teaching of curricula (such as the 1619 Project, No Place for Hate, Second Step, etc.) that emphasizes slavery and racism as the foundation of American history.
Choose not to answer
I know the Second Step curricula and it does not emphasize slavery and racism as the foundatoin of American history. The premise is wrong in this layered question and so I choose not to answer it. Slavery occurred in America and that cannot be denied. I do not know what the questionner means by "as the foundation". I don't know if 1619 emphasizes slavery as THE foundation. America had many factors in its beginning. It is hard to think any one is THE foundation.
I support the teaching of curricula (such as the 1619 Project, No Place for Hate, Second Step, etc.) that emphasizes slavery and racism as the foundation of American history.
Choose not to answer
I know the Second Step curricula and it does not emphasize slavery and racism as the foundatoin of American history. The premise is wrong in this layered question and so I choose not to answer it. Slavery occurred in America and that cannot be denied. I do not know what the questionner means by "as the foundation". I don't know if 1619 emphasizes slavery as THE foundation. America had many factors in its beginning. It is hard to think any one is THE foundation.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Choose not to answer
Here again, I disagree with the question. Is this an either-or proposition? Does the questionner suggest that we should not be receiving federal funds for children with disabilities? Would you rather have a completely unfunded mandate? Or not serve children with disabilities (one of the main uses of federal funding)? Would you rather not take Title 1 funds that help pay for additional costs for children from low-income households? Would you turn away free and reduced school lunches?
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Choose not to answer
Here again, I disagree with the question. Is this an either-or proposition? Does the questionner suggest that we should not be receiving federal funds for children with disabilities? Would you rather have a completely unfunded mandate? Or not serve children with disabilities (one of the main uses of federal funding)? Would you rather not take Title 1 funds that help pay for additional costs for children from low-income households? Would you turn away free and reduced school lunches?
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
Yes, that has been the case.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
Yes, that has been the case.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Disagree
I am in favor of youth participation in sports; girls still participate less than boys. Gender differences by high school in strength, endurance, long muscles are well documented. A young man with male hormones would have unfair strength and other advantages, in completeing with women in track and field. With equalized hormones, biologically identified, it could be more reasonable. I do support girls competing on boy teams in football, baseball, etc.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Disagree
I am in favor of youth participation in sports; girls still participate less than boys. Gender differences by high school in strength, endurance, long muscles are well documented. A young man with male hormones would have unfair strength and other advantages, in completeing with women in track and field. With equalized hormones, biologically identified, it could be more reasonable. I do support girls competing on boy teams in football, baseball, etc.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have a strong spiritual belief system. I am Christian and a member of First Plymouth Congregational Church. I have a strong belief in God and in many forms of prayer as a way of communicating with God. I believe in love of all peoples--that first Commandment of Jesus Christ. I have also been moved by Hinduism, Judaism, Buddahism. I am continuously learning and evolving and learn from the spiritual traditions of other religious. I treasure the sacred moments of this life and express gratitude every day. I am in this election following walking an ancient pilgramage for guidance, The Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, the Way of St. James..
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have a strong spiritual belief system. I am Christian and a member of First Plymouth Congregational Church. I have a strong belief in God and in many forms of prayer as a way of communicating with God. I believe in love of all peoples--that first Commandment of Jesus Christ. I have also been moved by Hinduism, Judaism, Buddahism. I am continuously learning and evolving and learn from the spiritual traditions of other religious. I treasure the sacred moments of this life and express gratitude every day. I am in this election following walking an ancient pilgramage for guidance, The Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, the Way of St. James..
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Neutral
Of course, parents should be consulted and should be part of the treatment plan in nearly all cases so my answer perhaps should be agree. However, there are cases, e.g., when a child is being abused by the parent and is suffering, needing mental health services. Would you deny the child the service? That is why i chose neutral.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Neutral
Of course, parents should be consulted and should be part of the treatment plan in nearly all cases so my answer perhaps should be agree. However, there are cases, e.g., when a child is being abused by the parent and is suffering, needing mental health services. Would you deny the child the service? That is why i chose neutral.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
I tend to be in the middle. I listen carefully and try to find the common elements. I bring people together. The liberal tag on me for this survey is not fair and is based on who gave money to me in previous elections, not on my answers or my thinking. Please see myu website helenraikes.com for more information on my views.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
I tend to be in the middle. I listen carefully and try to find the common elements. I bring people together. The liberal tag on me for this survey is not fair and is based on who gave money to me in previous elections, not on my answers or my thinking. Please see myu website helenraikes.com for more information on my views.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
There have been multiple letters to the editor and newspaper articles. I am a scientist and have a 40+ page resume with several hundred published articles in peer review journals. These are all available on line.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
There have been multiple letters to the editor and newspaper articles. I am a scientist and have a 40+ page resume with several hundred published articles in peer review journals. These are all available on line.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What books have had the most profound impact on your view of life?
The Courage to Be by Paul Tillach, Man's Search for Meaning by Vicktor Frankl,
What books have had the most profound impact on your view of life?
The Courage to Be by Paul Tillach, Man's Search for Meaning by Vicktor Frankl,
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a an individual who wishes to be of service. I made a vow to my late husband that I would finish our work. I love our democracy and feel we need opponents and discourse. I work hard, respect all sides and seek a unifying truth. I work towards shared vision.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a an individual who wishes to be of service. I made a vow to my late husband that I would finish our work. I love our democracy and feel we need opponents and discourse. I work hard, respect all sides and seek a unifying truth. I work towards shared vision.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2012 General Election 2014 General Election 2016 Democratic Primary 2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 General Election
In 2006 and 2022 I voted in Republican primaries. In 2016 I voted in the Democratic primary and I am sure there was another. I vote in every general election.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2012 General Election 2014 General Election 2016 Democratic Primary 2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 General Election
In 2006 and 2022 I voted in Republican primaries. In 2016 I voted in the Democratic primary and I am sure there was another. I vote in every general election.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Disagree
I fear teachers having guns in schools will lead to even more accidents and violence in our schools
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Disagree
I fear teachers having guns in schools will lead to even more accidents and violence in our schools
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support mandatory vaccinations for children attending public school?
Yes unless there is a compelling health or religious reason for not doing so. Vaccines have made our schools safe for children. Perhaps many readers do not remember the polio epidemic and years around 1948-55. I lost a cousin to polio; many lost relatives; think of being 10 months in an iron lung. Polio cases dropped from 58,000 to 161 from 1957 to 1961. Principles of public health dictate that nearly everyone needs to immunized for the disease to be irradicated.
Do you support mandatory vaccinations for children attending public school?
Yes unless there is a compelling health or religious reason for not doing so. Vaccines have made our schools safe for children. Perhaps many readers do not remember the polio epidemic and years around 1948-55. I lost a cousin to polio; many lost relatives; think of being 10 months in an iron lung. Polio cases dropped from 58,000 to 161 from 1957 to 1961. Principles of public health dictate that nearly everyone needs to immunized for the disease to be irradicated.
I support mask mandates.
Neutral
Here is another one whereby it depends.
I support mask mandates.
Neutral
Here is another one whereby it depends.
