Breaking: State Rep. Steve Marino Removed From Committees After Relationship With State Rep. Mari Manoogian

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.

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.

Breaking: Spring Lake Township Employees Ordered To Vaccinate Or Be Fired

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Spring Lake Township Board is telling all employees they must get vaccinated, or they will be fired.

The announcement came earlier this week at their Monday meeting when they passed a resolution that was not on the agenda.

The resolution requires COVID vaccines for all Township employees. 

The 1st shot must be administered by the end of August, and the 2nd shot by the end of September. 

Those not vaccinated will be fired. 

Spring Lake Township will also require their employees wear masks in Township buildings, even buildings shared  by other municipalities who do not require masks. 

This was not an agenda item, there was no public review or input, no medical experts were questioned, and the board stated that the Township Manager has the power to decide.

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.

Breaking: Garrett Soldano Arrested For Drunk Driving, Court Records Reveal

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At:

WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Gubernatorial candidate Garrett Soldano was arrested for drunk driving and refusing a breathalyzer test in Kalamazoo Township, court records obtained by West Michigan Politics reveal.

The incident, which occurred in 2009, when Soldano was 31, is not a campaign ending issue for him, though it definitely needs to be addressed and disposed of QUICKLY. 

This certainly isn't something we would want Whitmer to bring up out of left field in October 2022...

Soldano, who recently announced he will be boycotting the Michigan Republican Party  weekend on Mackinac Island next month, ended up taking a plea deal for a reduced charge in May of 2009, with Judge Richard Santoni presiding.

West Michigan Politics has submitted a Freedom Of Information Act request with the Kalamazoo Township Police Department to obtain copies of the police report corresponding with Soldano's arrest, and will be published after receiving.

People make mistakes, everyone does, I certainly have.

However, part of life is being willing to discuss those mistakes, ESPECIALLY when you're running for public office, even MORE so when you're running for Governor of the State of Michigan, the most powerful office in the state.

How Soldano addresses the drunk driving arrest, and some other issues that have popped up, will be immensely telling. 

Can Garrett hang with the big boys and take a couple punches like a man? Or will he duck, dodge, run, and hide? 

His ability to take the punches that come with a Gubernatorial campaign will determine whether or not he is a serious, first-tier candidate who can go the full 12 rounds with Gretchen Whitmer.

Soldano, a Chiropractor, faces off against former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, real estate agent Ryan Kelley, radio host Tudor Dixon, Pastor Ralph Rebant, businessman Austin Chenge, and Bob Scott in the Republican Gubernatorial primary.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

Breaking: Kevin Rinke Repeatedly Sexually And Racially Tormented Multiple Employees, Stunning Court Settlements Reveal

 

KEVIN RINKE

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.Com)

Shocking court records obtained by West Michigan Politics show prominent Metro Detroit car dealer Kevin Rinke repeatedly subjected employees to racial attacks and sexual harassment.

Rinke, who is considering running for Governor, settled the sexual harassment suit for $15,000, and settled the racial attack suit out of court, Macomb County Circuit Court files reveal.

***Warning: Content Below May Not Be Suitable For All Audiences***

In Blakes V. Rinke, serious allegations are made.

In one instance, Rinke tells the victim, "Hey, where did you steal that car?"

"I don't steal," he responds.

"You mean you aren't like the rest of the n!gger$," Rinke says.

Rinke then removed the victim's hat.

"Please don't bother with my hat," he says.

Rinke refused, continuing to touch the victim.

In another instance, in front of multiple employees, Rinke said, "have you heard the rumors about the n!gger$? You mean to tell me you haven't heard about the size of their c*cks?" 

In another instance, Rinke told the victim, "go ahead Mickie, show her your 14 inch c*ck, all you n!gger$ have one!"

In another incident, in front of multiple employees, Rinke said "you can get one of your n!gge® buddies and John and I can play 2 on 2 and we can beat any of your n!gge® friends!" 

The parties stipulated a settlement, usually indicating an out of court agreement.

(CLICK HERE FOR THE Documents)

In another problematic suit, 3 employees sued. 

Of the parties, the pertinent case, Monica Kidder V. Kevin Rinke, includes instances of sexual harassment and creepy comments from Rinke. 

In one instance, Rinke instituted a policy ordering her to say good night to him before leaving shifts, and if she didn't, he would call her at home to say good night. 

Another time, he called an employee a "f*cking c*nt" and said that "women shouldn't be allowed to work in public, they're ignorant and stupid." 

He also said when staff members had newborn boys that they were "well hung."

He said one of his favorite expressions is "I won't cum in your mouth."

After the plaintiff got divorced, Rinke called and wanted to know which "young stud" she was with. 

In another call, he asked if she was naked, and if her boyfriend was going down on her. 

At work in front of multiple employees, Rinke asked if the plaintiff had a matching bra and panties on. 

Rinke and Kidder settled for $15,000, records show.

(CLICK HERE FOR THE  Records)

Rinke, rumored to be willing to spend $10 million to buy the nomination, would face a crowded Republican Gubernatorial field.

 Candidates currently include former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, Chiropractor Garrett Soldano, real estate agent Ryan Kelley, radio host Tudor Dixon, as well as Ralph Rebant, and Bob Scott.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com

Developing: Former State Representative Doug Geiss Busted Breaking Into House, Caught Sniffing Underwear Of Teen Girl On Trail Cam

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.Com)

A whistle blower has revealed to West Michigan Politics that former State Representative Doug Geiss was caught breaking into a house, and then sniffing the underwear of the family's teen daughter.

The residents installed a trail cam after they repeatedly noticed items in their house appeared to have been slightly moved after returning from weekend trips.

The home, located in the Taylor area, is a rental property Geiss owns. He was not scheduled to visit, he had no reason to enter the home, and he did not notify the family he had been inside.

Geiss is currently running for City Council in Taylor.

His wife is State Senator Erika Geiss, a prominent supporter of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

West Michigan Politics is withholding other details at this time in order to protect the identity of the teen victim.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Breaking: Laura Cox Secretly Appointed Anti-Trump Attorney To Be Lead Lawyer For MIGOP

Dennis Flessland

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Michigan Republican Party Chair Laura Cox secretly appointed Anti-Trump attorney Dennis Flessland to be the lead lawyer for the state party, WMP learned Friday.

Cox appointed Flessland around 3 weeks ago to replace Stu Sandler, who left the role of General Counsel to take a position in Washington DC with Senate Republicans.

Flessland has publicly supported efforts to purge President Trump from the party, as well as starting a new party free of Trump supporters.

Flessland also says that the GOP can't be both the party of Lincoln, and the party of Trump...

This guy was the best she could do?

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Making Stalin Proud: Cox Will Count The Votes At MIGOP Convention!

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Wow!

Apparently, Laura Cox will run the MIGOP Zoom convention on Saturday instead of handing it off to a separate Convention Chair, despite being a candidate herself!

Normally at state convention, we always elect a Convention Chair, someone who is not a candidate in a race to be decided by the delegates that day...

This practice is common at the District level, and that too should stop in the future...

She will be able to mute anyone she doesn't want to hear from, and she can pretty much stop the vote counting whenever she pleases!

“I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this — who will count the votes, and how.”

-Joseph Stalin

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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