News/Commentary

Political org. dangles ‘big money’ in front of female collegiate athletes to support the Dem Sen who betrayed them

August 30, 2024 | | Print Article

Looks like Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) has stepped in it again after a political organization he is tied to offered thousands of dollars to female student-athletes if they would publicly endorse him.

They turned him down flat. Not a surprise considering that Tester supported trans athletes competing against biological women.

“University of Montana track and field sprinter Lily Meskers revealed that she and her fellow Grizzlies received the lucrative offer over the summer as part of a Name, Image and Likeness deal,” the New York Post reported.

“Meskers, a junior journalism student at the Missoula campus, shared her experience with the ‘Montana Talks‘ radio show, alleging Tester and ‘his backers are growing increasingly nervous about their prospects of winning re-election’ because of several unpopular stances he has taken during his three terms,” the media outlet continued.

Small wonder that Tester is nervous. Trump-backed Republican nominee Tim Sheehy, a Navy SEAL veteran and a rancher, is reportedly getting ready to trounce Tester’s in the upcoming election.

Tester voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023. The bill sought to strengthen “the law’s existing protections for women, ensur[ing] a level playing field for female athletes, and protect[ing] the law from the Biden administration’s radical regulatory scheme,” according to the New York Post.

The flailing Democrat has refused to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, even though he worked to get her voted in as vice president in the first place. He’s evidently afraid she will make him look even worse than he already does to voters in the state.

“I’m not going to endorse for the presidential — and I will tell you why,” Tester stated during a press conference held in Hamilton, Montana, according to the Helena Independent Record. “Two reasons: No. 1, I’m focused on my race. And No. 2, folks have wanted to nationalize this race, and this isn’t about national politics. This is about Montana. It’s about making sure we have a Montanan back in Washington, DC, representing Montana values. And so that’s why.”

“Montana Together” is the leftist pro-Tester organization that decided it would be a great idea to start offering moolah to female university students. A decision that is backfiring spectacularly on them.

“Let’s work together to inform your audience about Senator Tester’s track record in office and encourage him to maintain his support of these vital policies,” the email obtained by the National Desk enticed female athletes. “Join our campaign to share your personal story about how Tester’s track record has strengthened Montana’s foundation and ensures a bright future for all who call it home.”

The group also wanted the women to support Tester’s stances on LGBT rights, reproductive care, and the economy.

“The deal offered all university athletes a chance to participate and earn big money,” Meskers noted.

How much money? Well, the girls were promised somewhere between $400 and $2,400 “for the creation of up to four unscripted Instagram Reels from the student-athletes throwing their support behind the Democrat, Meskers said,” according to the New York Post.

“The deals were offered as follows: $400 for two scripted videos, $800 for two unscripted videos, and $2,400 for four unscripted videos,” Fox News wrote.

The email making the offer was allegedly forwarded by Jean Gee, who is the senior associate athletic director for the University of Montana. Athletic director Kent Haslam hotly defended sending out the email to female athletes as well.

“I received an email from Mateo at Opendorse in late July with an NIL opportunity for student-athletes. Opendorse is one of a few companies that work in the college athlete NIL space connecting athletes with NIL opportunities,” Haslam told “Montana Talks.”

“Mateo said an organization named Montana Together was using Opendorse to source athletes who were interested in spreading the word about Senator Jon Tester and causes they (the athletes) were interested in. Athletics sent along the opportunity to all of the athletes in case any were interested. The athletes could then reach out to Mateo for more information,” he recounted.

As for Tester, he couldn’t back away fast enough from the perception that he was paying for endorsements.

“Tester’s campaign told Fox News Digital that they had no knowledge of these actions and are not in communication with the group,” Fox News reported.

“Jon Tester sided with woke DC Democrats when he voted to let men compete in women’s sports, now his dark money allies are trying to pay students off to cover up his far-left voting record,” NRSC spokeswoman Maggie Abboud commented in a statement. “Jon Tester is spiraling and resorting to every underhanded tactic in the book.”

Latest posts by Terresa Monroe-Hamilton (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles