Phil and Mayor Marina Vergone, Cr David Schumacher and council hopeful Colin Purslowe
Camera IconPhil and Mayor Marina Vergone, Cr David Schumacher and council hopeful Colin Purslowe Credit: Supplied/Rachel Fenner

Mandurah council election turns nasty on social media

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

MANDURAH’S council election is barely a week in and already the situation has turned bitter with candidates, and the mayor’s husband facing off on social media.

Current Town Ward councillor David Schumacher, who is up for re-election in October, publically criticised Mayor Marina Vergone regarding her endorsement of two councillor wannabes.

His post had five shares this morning.

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Mayor Vergone endorsed Todd Jenkins for East Ward and Colin Purslowe for Town Ward.

In response, Mr Purslowe created a public post that implied Mr Schumacher was “hypocritical” and did not trust Deputy Mayor Darren Lee.

Mr Purslowe also claimed Mr Schumacher would be nominating for Mr Lee’s position because the Deputy Mayor’s role paid more.

Mayor Vergone’s husband Phil also felt the need to defend his wife.

Mr Vergone labelled Cr Schumacher’s post a “rant” and said he was proud of his wife’s achievements.

Councillor Lynn Rodgers also said she found it “both disappointing and a political move by our current Mayor”.

“Politics have no role in local government elections,” she said.

Cr Schumacher endorsed Rhys Williams for Mayor soon after.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

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