The Alle
gan County Republican Party next Thursday is expected to discuss a resolution calling for the resignation of State Rep. Cindy Gamrat in the wake of a widely publicized sex scandal and attempted coverup.
Allegan County Commissioner Don Black was asked Wednesday night at the Martin Township Board meeting what might happen next in the ongoing controversy if Gamrat agrees to resign.
Black said only Gamrat herself can resign, she can’t be forced to do so. If she does decide to step down, a successor would have to be appointed for the remainder of her two-year term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016. That appointed person would be eligible to seek election to the seat in the August 2016 primary election.
The commissioner said he’s not entirely certain who would appoint her successor, but right now it appears she and fellow State Rep. Todd Courser have no intentions to step down. This, despite calls for her resignation from State Senator Margaret O’Brien, from longtime GOP activist Gerry Hildebrand of Plainwell and from Allegan Republican Party Chairman Steve McNeal.
Courser and Gamrat, both freshman Tea Party activists elected by pluralities in the Republican Party primary of August 2014, are accused of using staff members to promote a false story to hide their own extra-marital affair. Their aides were fired after they refused to participate.
Both Courser and Gamrat could choose to remain in office and let voters in the August 2016 GOP primary decide whether or not they should continue. Gamrat represents most of Allegan County in the 80th legislative district, which includes Hopkins, Martin and Watson townships.
Martin Township Trustee Jim Brenner said he didn’t see what all the fuss was about and that politicians lie about sexual affairs all the time. He added that if Gamrat can still do her job, she should be allowed to continue.
Black and Fire Chief Earl Wykstra both quipped that a president (Democrat Bill Clinton) was guilty of the same kind of shenanigans and did not resign as a result.
PHOTO: Cindy Gamrat