By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
West Michigan Politics has learned that State Rep. Steve Marino has been removed from all of his Committee assignments for sending texts to his ex-girlfriend, State Rep. Mari Manoogian.
It's not clear at this time what those texts said, and if they were in any way inappropriate.
Marino is a Republican from Macomb in his 3rd term, Manoogian is a Democrat from Oakland County in her 2nd term.
"Rep. Marino is no longer the chair of the Commerce Committee and no longer serves on the Local Government committee. Rep. Pauline Wendzel has been appointed to serve as the committee chair," said Gideon D'Assandro, Wentworth's spokesman, in a statement Wednesday morning.
One source described the texts as "threatening," but who the hell knows what that really means.
Was leadership just trying to sweep something under the rug, placate Manoogian, and scapegoat Marino? It's certainly possible. Senator Lucido was removed from Committees last year by Majority Leader Shirkey over phony sexual harassment charges simply to appease leftists. Something seems fishy about this situation, also...
The decision from Speaker Jason Wentworth to replace Marino with State Rep. Pauline Wendzel is raising eyebrows across Lansing.
Wendzel is known to be EXTREMELY close with married State Representative Greg Vanwoerkom.
The two are known as "VanWendzel" throughout some circles at the Capitol as rumors of a relationship have swirled for years.
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| Wendzel, left, Vanwoerkom, right |
A text exchange obtained by WMP involves Manoogian, State Senator Erika Geiss, and others.
"in case you were all wondering, I can read what you're saying about me," she said.
Manoogian then leaves the conversation:
Stay tuned...
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
