Jesse Alexander Helms Jr. (1921–2008) was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina from 1973 to 2003, known as a prominent conservative, journalist, and Navy veteran. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, to Jesse Alexander Helms Sr. and Ethel Mae Helms, he grew up in a Southern Baptist family and developed a strong interest in journalism early on. After briefly attending Wingate Junior College and Wake Forest College, Helms left his studies to pursue a career in media, working as a sportswriter and news reporter for newspapers like The News & Observer. He later transitioned into broadcasting, becoming an executive at Capitol Broadcasting Company in Raleigh, where he hosted a conservative radio and television commentary program called "Viewpoint" that amplified his right-wing views on issues like civil rights, communism, and social conservatism.

Helms entered politics in the 1970s as a key figure in the conservative resurgence, supporting Ronald Reagan’s presidential bid and aiding Republican candidates across the South. Elected to the Senate in 1972, he earned the nickname "Senator No" for his staunch opposition to progressive legislation, including civil rights measures, abortion rights, and arms control treaties. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001, Helms wielded significant influence over U.S. foreign policy, advocating a strong anti-communist stance, support for sanctions against regimes like Cuba and South Africa, a nationalist approach that prioritized American interests, and a strong U.S. military presence abroad. His tenure was marked by controversies, including his vehement opposition to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and criticism for racially charged rhetoric, though he remained a hero to many in the conservative movement.

Throughout his life, Helms was married to Dorothy Jane Coble since 1942, with whom he had three children: Jane, Nancy, and Charles. A devout Southern Baptist, he was known for his personal piety and involvement in evangelical causes. Helms passed away in 2008 at age 86, leaving a legacy as a hardline conservative who shaped the Republican Party’s ideological direction during the late 20th century.