Yes It Is, It’s True: Genetski groomed as Watts’ successor?

I don’t know if you heard it here first, or if I’m “all over this story,” but I hear tell on good authority that Joyce Watts will retire as Allegan County Clerk and former State Rep. Bob Genetski is the anointed one to succeed her.

There apparently will be a meet and greet session from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Vann’s Valley Event Center in Shelbyville to introduce some of the more favored candidates for office in the August Republican primary election. Among those expected to do some of that there meetin’ and greetin’ is Genetski as a candidate for county clerk.

Knowing and following the GOP for more than 40 years, I have come to understand it is very rare for an incumbent Republican to be challenged in a primary, much less a former public official. My educated guess here is that Watts, who was reported to be 68 years old when she ran successfully for clerk in 2012, has decided to retire.

And it’s my educated guess that Genetski is being groomed by some movers and shakers to replace her.

Watts has been the county’s clerk-register since 1988, and was register of deeds for 12 years before the clerk and register positions were merged in that year.

So Watts has served as a county elected official for the past 40 years. It isn’t difficult to understand that she’s had enough and plans to ride off into the sunset.

Despite her long career, she had the indignity of facing three Republican opponents in the August 2012 primary. She still won with 60 percent in the four-way race.

Genetski was a state representative from the 80^th District from 2009 to 2015. After winning the 2008 primary, he sailed through three general elections with at least 60 percent of the vote.

But in January 2012 he was arrested after Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State speech for driving under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly refused to take a breathalyzer test after begin stopped by a Michigan State University police officer. He was convicted in September 2012 and lost his driver’s license for one year. That might explain why his landslide over a Democrat in the November general in 2012 was less than impressive. He got 62 percent of the vote against an opponent who did not campaign in a solidly Republican district.

Genetski, of Saugatuck, earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Auburn University in 1991 and his master’s degree from Grand Valley State University in 2004. His professional experience includes working as a teacher.

The 80th District includes all of Allegan County except Wayland, Leighton and Dorr townships and the City of Wayland.

PHOTOS: Robert Genetski   Joyce Watts