Sands and Reynolds
At the end of January, the Missoulian ejaculated all over itself with the news that former Griz football player, Chase Reynolds, was going to challenge Diane Sands for SD 49.
Since then there’s been nothing.
In fact, this race is such a joke that I have to wonder what the hell is going on.
Let’s discuss that today.
At the end of March, Chase got another story on him, this time from the GF Trib. It was called “Work ethic led Chase Reynolds from 8-man football to the NFL.”
I’m sorry, but I think that work ethic went right out the window.
Or it’s just that this guy is such a political neophyte that he has no idea what he’s doing. Worse, no one around him seems to know what to do.
As a result, Diane Sands is mopping the floor with him.
That mopping will continue for the next six months, and Chase will lose bigtime. In fact, he’ll be embarrassed.
The only real chance he had of winning is if a Green Party candidate could take votes away from Sands. Alas, that’s not going to happen because the hand-picked judge the Democrats in Helena chose will ensure the Greens are kicked off the ballot.
And even if they’re not, maybe the Green Party candidate will drop out of SD 49…simply because the race is such a joke.
It didn’t have to be like this.
I actually thought Chase might have a chance. It’s clear that’s not the case, nor will it be the case.
- The man doesn’t have a campaign website.
- He has no place for voters to learn about him.
- There’s nowhere I can donate money to him online.
- He doesn’t even have a candidate Facebook page, just a personal page which gets a few likes on each of his political posts.
Like I said…a joke.
Remember, Sands began raising money in March…March 2017.
Chase has been raising money since February 2018.
Big difference, and we see that in their totals.
Sands has raised over $18,000 for this race while Chase has raised a mere $1,700.
Worse, Chase hasn’t spent a dime yet.
Sands has been spending wisely, both on things she needs and on things from in-town and in-state firms.
She knows how it works; Chase does not.
And my God…look at the establishment-types that are funding Sands! First, the PACS then the people:
- HCSC (Health Care Service Corporation) Employee’s PAC: $180
- MODEPAC (A Dental Association PAC): $180
- MT Conservation Voters: $180
- Ed Bartlett
- Max Baucus
- Dorothy Bradley
- Patricia Childers
- Kate Cholewa
- Willis Curdy
- Jean Curtiss
- Mary Ann Dunwell
- Tom Facey
- Bill Geer
- Greg Jergeson
- Carol Juneau
- Denise Juneau
- Mike Kadas
- Dan Kemmis
- Connie Keogh
- Sue Malek
- Addrien Marx
- TJ McDermott
- Andrea Olsen
- Karen Orzech
- Marilyn Ryan
- Tracy Stone-Manning
- Pam Walzer
- Carol Williams
- Pat Williams
Besides those big names, Sands has spent on things like the following:
- 1,000 envelopes
- 1,000 remittance envelopes
- 300 stamps
- Vote Builder
At this point she’s still fundraising. No signs have been purchased, no walking cards have been ordered.
I know from 2014 when I lived in SD 49 that Diane will rely on about 10 to 15 negative mailings to win her seat.
I highlighted her attacks on Dick Haines that year.
So that’s what’s Chase is up against…as well as a serious lack of interest from MT Republicans.
Chase’s PAC contributions are underwhelming, with:
- MBWDA (MT Beer & Wine Distributors Association): $180
- MT Republican CLCC: $20
- MT Republican CLCC $20
Those two $20 charges were for two separate phone calls in April, the 17th and 24th.
Yes, the GOP actually charged one of their candidates $20 to talk to them on the phone about how to run a campaign, what ideas might work, and really…what the hell you’re supposed to do.
Clearly, looking at ‘how far’ Chase has come since January, this $40 was a complete waste of money.
Personally, I feel that after those phone calls – and their spurious charges – Chase became frustrated and disgruntled with the Montana GOP, and specifically their legislative campaign committee division…which clearly doesn’t care about him.
Besides that, just 10 individuals have given to Chase. None of them are Missoula Republicans or Montana Republicans.
It’s clear the Party doesn’t care about Chase, nor do they think he can win.
Good friends, aren’t they?
In fact, 9 of the 10 donations that Chase has received actually come from outside of Missoula. Just one donor actually lives in the city that Chase will represent.
Chase does have $500 in debts, to the Political Company in Billings for logo design, shipping, and 500 fundraising envelopes.
He got those on March 1. I’m not sure they did much good for him. All the remittance envelopes I bought in 2014 were eventually thrown into the trash. At least the Party made some money off me…right?
Yeah, you know how I feel – it’s a big joke.
Sands will likely get in there, and since she’s a Dem, she’ll be wholly ineffective in the GOP-controlled legislature.
In fact, I can’t think of one thing that Diane Sands has done for my life in the 4 years she has represented me.
But I could be wrong.
Remember, in 2014 Sands raised around $27,000 and only won the race by about a dozen votes. She actually had to have a recount done, so close was it.
Money ain’t everything…but neither is laziness.
Chase Reynolds needs to get off his lazy ass and start working. I’m amazed that he actually made it to the NFL, based on his lackluster abilities in his current pursuit.
Mostly, I just kick myself for ever thinking this man had a chance. Boy do I feel stupid!
