We Democrats can be proud of our candidates.  The Republicans, not so much.  The man pictured here is Ronald Lassle, the sole Republican candidate for the Montana Legislature in Helena’s House District 81.

An article on this race in the Helena IR mentioned that the TEA Party Republican candidate is a recipient of government assistance–but not that the GOPer is a convicted felon.  The TEA Party opposes government assistance but has not taken a position against felons in office. The Montana GOP’s position on the practice is unknown. However, Lassle said of his recruitment in the IR that:

“he was urged to file for the HD 81 seat and said, “I’m very much a Republican.”

Lassle was sentenced to ten years for forgery, theft, and bad checks, according to the Department of Corrections Correctional Offender Network Search.  He is currently on parole. While some states have made it illegal for a person to run for office as a felon, the practice appears to be legal in Montana.  Lassle had been running in the GOP primary for Governor but later switched to running for the legislative seat.  Perhaps he noticed that there were already several candidates in that race to appeal to the GOP’s seamier side.

Lassle will face Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh-D, who currently holds the seat.  Lassle’s former gubernatorial running mate Mark Diaz is now running against Democratic Rep. Chuck Hunter for Helena’s House District 79.  Oddly, Diaz lists Godisforus.ning.com as his candidate website.