Tomorrow, Friday the 29th, is the last day of early voting, and about this time Tuesday, this overwhelming and divisive election season will be over. Regardless of the outcomes, we will  finally,  at least until next time, be rid of all those annoying and misleading campaign ads, mailers, robo-calls, and surveys.  For that I think we can all be thankful.

I write this evening, unable to clearly articulate my thoughts about this Election.  In my many years of following this stuff, I have never seen such a fractured and polarized nation. People are angry. I'm angry too.  There's plenty of blame to go-around for the mess we're in. Our city, state, and country - are in crisis.   But I do think that much of the blame has been mis-characterized, and laid on doorsteps where it doesn't belong. This perfect storm did not begin on Inauguration Day 21 months ago. It was brewing long before. And contrary to the message of many of the silly ads,  Harry Reid is not Darth Vader.  I won't attempt to list his achievements, but they are many.  When Harry Reid was first elected to Congress, and for several years thereafter, I lived in Washington, DC. I hung-around his rag-tag office, picking-up and returning a car I  shared with one of his staffers. I saw his star rise as he championed the Tax Payer Bill of Rights, and knew as I watched him decades ago on Charlie Rose, that he was destined to have a national voice. As Minority, and then Majority Whip of the US Senate, he was respected by both sides of the aisle, known for his legendary ability to craft compromise. But much like Senator Daschle before him, as Majority Leader you wear a Target on your back. As Majority Leader, you take the bullets.  In the absence of a President of your party, the Majority Leader is the spokesman for the party. And they take the heat for anything and everything that goes wrong. But  what most people here in little ol' Nevada don't grasp - is the incredible power that is vested in the Office. Senator Reid's position is a bit of a fluke. A chance occurrence, unlikely to ever occur again.  He occupies the highest office ever held by a Nevadan since our admission to the Union 146 years ago by Abraham Lincoln.  The Majority Leader runs the Senate. The things they can accomplish, can never be done by a freshman Senator. A master parliamentarian, Senator Reid was able to effectively eviscerate the Department of Energy budgets which funded the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump. The congressional "screw Nevada" mandate still exists, but the Majority Leader made sure there is no money to build.  That's but one example of a gargantuan success that cannot be achieved by a novice.  Is he complicated? Yes. Telegenic? No. Candid to a fault? You betcha.  But the Harry Reid I've know all my life, has a heart as big as Nevada, and is in a position to care for it, like no other.

He doesn't have the great hair of the other Senator.  But he does have a remarkable marriage.  Landra Reid  is a quiet, beautiful,  class-act, and full of grace.  Harry Reid's moral character has never been, and I think, never will be - an issue.  What I've always found curious though, is the dichotomy of his mormon faith, and the absence of judgement toward others.  As a kid I remember him hanging-out with the Steelworkers in the Union Hall, many who lobbed  the F-bombs, including - well especially - my Dad. He seemed just as comfortable there, as he is in the hallowed halls of society.  Maybe even more so. Perhaps it's his long journey from Nowhere to the Top of the World.  People have said that they are tired of hearing about Searchlight. But it really is a remarkable only-in-America-story. A story of poverty my generation and beyond, really doesn't know.  The social-nets and opportunities that exist today, did not then. Through shear tenacity and will, Harry Reid not only endured - but soared beyond any expectation imaginable.   I like Harry Reid.  I wish others knew of his goodness, as I do. Some of it is personal.  Senator Reid was a close friend to my father, Blackie, for nearly 50 years. When my Dad died of a heart attack, in the early morning hours three years ago this month, it was Harry who tracked down my grieving Mom, my sisters, and me - at Palm Mortuary where we were making funeral arrangements. I will never forget how his kind words to my Mom, helped her broken heart.  He and Landra flew home from Washington to deliver the eulogy, and took the final walk with the man I was lucky to have called Dad.

There are scores of stories just like my own.   Harry walks with a stoop now. I think it is from carrying such a tremendous weight on his shoulders for these many years.

It is my humble plea that those of you, my friends - Republican, Independent, Democrat,  or whatever -  will join with me and vote for Harry Reid.

With Gratitude,
Steve Evans