Gazette on Wenke

Here is the Gazette on Wenke. The comments so far aren't flattering.

Former Michigan State Representative Lorence Wenke may run for State Senate seat

GALESBURG -- Local businessman and former Republican state Rep. Lorence Wenke has designs on becoming a Michigan senator.

But Wenke told the Kalamazoo Gazette on Friday that he will wait until 2010 to run when term-limited Sen. Tom George, R-Texas Township, completes his final term representing the 20th District.

Wenke had considered running this year for the 19th District state Senate seat, which opened after Democrat Mark Schauer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. But a run would have required Wenke to move from his Comstock Township home to a residence in the district, which covers Calhoun County and most of Jackson County.

"It's not the right time for me to run over there. I would have to move to the district and, quite frankly, my wife of 42 years said she was willing to move, but I can tell it would not be a happy event," he said.

Wenke would have had to declare by Tuesday his intention to run for 19th District state Senate seat, which has been under Democratic control. Former state Rep. Mike Nofs, a Republican, announced last month he will run for the seat.

As a homeowner in Kalamazoo County, there are no residency issues with Wenke running in the 20th District, which represents all of the county plus a small part of Van Buren County. The 63-year-old owner of Wenke Greenhouses, who represented the 63rd District until term limits ended his tenure in 2008, said he still has much to contribute as a public servant.

Wenke said Friday that in a time when Michigan's economy is struggling, his experience as a business leader is what the state needs.

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