Prior to running for the Senate, Hellon held several government positions in Pima Countyduring the 1990s, including Chief Deputy Clerk and Chief Deputy Recorder.
[2] She was first elected to the House in November 2000, representing District 12.
[3]: viii–ix After redistricting in 2002, she won re-election to the Senate in District 26.
[4]: viii–ix Hellon won re-election again in 2004,[5]: ix but during her re-election bid for the November 2006 election, she was defeated in the Republican primary by Al Melvin, who lost a very close race in the general election to Charlene Pesquiera.
[6] In 2013, she was appointed by Governor Jan Brewer to the position of Pima County Superior Court Clerk.