Johnston's Helland Working In North Dakota, Plans to Keep Iowa House Seat

State Rep. Erik Helland is on his way out of Iowa.

Helland, 32, who currently holds House District seat 69 -- redistricted to House Seat 39 -- has accepted a job in North Dakota, the Des Moines Register reported.

He told the Register the move is temporary and he will maintain his seat in the House.

Helland, who has served two terms and is the majority whip for the house, to newcomer .

The Register reported the North Dakota Republican Party hired Helland earlier in July and is now living in Bismark, N.D.

Helland's Twitter has featured a few tweets about his new post.

"thanks!! Be back soon. “@efailorjr: Gonna miss @ErikHelland as he is exiled to North Dakota. Good luck buddy! #NDVictoryDirector” he tweeted on July 27.

Helland told the Register the North Dakota party needed his help.

“The North Dakota party needed some help on their victory program and I was in a position where I could move and go help them out for the short run,” he told the Register when reached at the North Dakota GOP headquarters. “I’m not on the ballot anymore and they needed some help.”

Helland maintained the post was short term and would keep up with is constituent duties related to his House seat.  

While he gave no time frame for returning to Iowa, he said in the unlikely event legislators were called to a special session he would be in attendance.