Helm made his only run for federal office in 1838 and was defeated by Willis Green for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.[1] He returned to the Kentucky House in 1839 and was re-elected in 1842 and 1843, serving as Speaker of the House both years.[3] In 1843, the Kentucky General Assembly proposed to create a new county from part of Hardin County and name it Helm County in honor of John L. Helm.[17] Because of the few dissenting votes on this question, Helm declined the honor and proposed instead that the county be called LaRue County after his mother's family, many of whom still lived in the proposed county. Helm's suggestion was unanimously adopted.[17]