Reiner Grumman (RY - NUH)
Abner
The only son of Malik Grumman; Reiner Grumman was a prominent Politician in the 26th Century. A Presidential Candidate for Gurava , Foreign Secretaty under the Meagher Administration and Ambassador to the Tranoans during the Groff Administration. A vocal member of the political left Reiner was notable for his involevement in many controversies throughout his life.
won the 2550 New Berlin 2nd Senate seat, after a tough race that cost Gurava 3 wealth.
Only a few months after winning, Reiner was shot upon returning to his offices in New Hamburg after an afternoon of meetings. At 17:54 on the 18th Auguat 2550 a car drove drove past Reiner with 6 shots fired, 2 of them hitting him in the lower back and thigh. The attackers where later apprehended by New Berlin police, apparent seperatists from the radical right who opposed the Senators recent sucessful election.
After being hospitalised for months and having billions of dollars worth of surgery and specialist care Reiner was able to return to work on Earth only suffering long term with a limp and co-ordination issues down one side of his body. 2552 saw the release of a political documentary "Returning Home":
Reiner saw a sucessful time working as Foreign Secretat. President Knottman's previous exprience in the role meant Reiner was given a lot of respect from the Administration and was enabled a huge ammount of resources and trust to travel. Reiner met with Representatives from every nation at a "Furious Pace" according to press at the time and spent a lot of time raising the Profile of the Republic along with his personal image with nations across the Quadrant - a profile that would later help him in rallying support for the Terran Defense during The 2nd Zzenddi War
Following Gurava's poor elecoral performance, due to the release of "The Zzendi Papers", in the 2580 Republic Election the party was not able to form a government and Reiner was reassigned by President Alana Largo as Ambassador to the Tranoans.
A year into his tenure, The CCN powers meet on New Berlin to discuss a potential extension to the existing treaty in 2585, which will allow the Gannid Commonwealth to join in. Foreign Secretary Hayley Rush (SDP) and Reiner are key parts to this talk, with Reiner having many sidebars with foreign represenatives, lobbying them to support the new deal. The details in questions where controversial as they commited all member states to drastically increase their military expenditure, at a time when many nations such as the Bl'Hud where focused on reconstruction efforts following the Zzendi War.
It's also noted that, during this period Reiner's adopted sister, Etallyian, was elevated to Ambassador to the Terran Republic by the Tranoan Empire. The two often got on well and would meet often during this time back at their family home on New Berlin
Early Life
Born on New Berlin in 2515, Reiner was a rather shy child in his early years, but despite this went on to excel in his Economic classes at New Brunswick College. During his studies, the young Reiner became very involved in the newly expanded Social Democratic Party student programmes and had a 'political awakening', he was able to attend many of the meetings his father had, shadowing him in important Party and Governor meetings.Time in Tranoan Space
Growing up, Reiner was always very interested by Tranoan culture, likely enhanced by the vast amount of Tranoan Refugees that took refuge on New Berlin at the time. This was further influenced by his adopted Tranoan sister for whome he grew close over the years. After graduating from Brunswick College Reiner did a masters degree in Tranoan Culture and moved to live in various places through Tranoan Space during this time. It was whilst he was there that he came to greatly respect the culture, history and spiritualism of the Tranoans and would often talk of how much he respected their stability and harmony throughout all levels of their society. In 2540, Reiner married Marianne Boette, whom he had connections with from back on New Berlin. The two went on to have two Children- Grover Grumman - Born in 2540
- Claremont Grumman - Born in 2550
Senate Run
In late 2545, whilst on a returning visit to New Berlin for party business, Reiner announced his run for the New Berlin Senate under the Gurava. At a speech at New Brunswick University he criticised the recent involvement of the SDP in the recent Inkerman AdministrationI’m Excited to announce my standing in the New Berlin Senate election representing Gurava. With a unified Terran people, we need now more than ever strong voices championing social progress. On New Berlin, a vote for Gurava is the only means to ensure that profit is not put before people. The SDP have made firm signals they have no interest in tackling corporate influences in politics, at a time where huge corporations have damaged our economy and yet still profit. If elected to the Senate I will commit to continuing my families support for this beautiful planet and follow the party in taking political power out of the top corporations pockets and back into the peoples hands I shall be donating money to social programs on New Berlin to help those families affected by the recent shock to the agricultural sector caused by G51Reiner took heat from prominent Isolationist party member, Morse Cutbill, after coming out in support of free movement between Terran worlds following a legal case being issued from citizens on Gaia in regards to the Inkerman Administration crackdown on free travel between worlds. These statements would later be cited by The Social Democratic Party as the reason for the break of the election pact between the SDP and Gurava only a week before the 2550 election.
Senator of New Berlin
Reiner successfullyThe film follows Senator Reiner Grumman as he returns back to his birth-place, New Berlin and campaigns for elected office in the senate The documentary shows Reiner in private moments with his family, on the campaign trail and taking part in the grass-roots politics on New Berlin including a tense meeting with Lt-Governor Coffey (Iso), a town-hall debate with members of the New Munich City-Council and being barracked and heckled by right-wing activists in New Hamburg It also has never before seen footage of his shooting, including the exchange of gunfire between the shooter and the New Hamburg Police. There are also candid moments as former Governor Malik Grumman sits at his bed-side. There are also some distressing scenes as it is clear that Reiner is in a huge amount of pain and requires millions of adjusted dollars worth of surgery and gene therapy. The movie reaches its conclusion as Reiner wins election as a Senator and the final scene sees him choosing his office in Dhaka and meeting his neighbour, an antique carpet dealer and the two having an engaging but good natured conversation. The documentary, made by independent film maker Tate Woolbridge but since picked up by several major media corporations, has been a hit and seen as a feel good political storyThe release of the film, and Reiner's swift recovery and return to the frontline of politics saw his approval rating rocket to a high of 89% at this time.
Political Chaos and Controversies
By 2555, Reiner had made his name as a vocal senator and member of the Senate Welfare committee, where he quickly rose to dominate the committee in terms of oversight and questioning. Despite the press not granting the committee much attention Reiner was able to bring many of the discussion into focus, highlighting the underfunded nature of Republican social welfare programs. Reiner quickly became an extremely vocal opponent to the Inkerman administration and would often make a comment regading any key moves or policiy decisions made by the adminstation and being constantly cricticle of the current social welfare budget. Reiner came under fire for his department spending whist a senaotor as it was reported that according to a Treasury Source, Senator Grumman claimed nearly four million adjusted dollars in expenses between 2555 and 2556, including nearly two million adjusted dollars on travel expenses. Coming towards the final year of his senate position, Reiner was riding a wave of popularity that saw him leading many independent polls that where conducted to find who the Republic's population wanted as their next President, polling at 20%, a few points ahead of presumptive rivals at the time Vice President MyAnna Wolf and Secretary Herrick Knottman . It was during this period of heightened media attention on Reiner that a break in was reported from the Gurava party headquarters on New Berlin. Later to become known as the Gurava-Gate Scandal.Recently our campaign headquarters in New Hamburg, New Berlin was broken into by a highly equipped team. The local authorities were quick to respond, and were able to detain the trespassers. We cooperated closely with the New Berlin Attorney General’s office in all matters only for the AG to conclude the case of a trespass was not worth investigating. Today we’re releasing the CCTV footage of the event to the public domain and to share with you evidence of what appears to be Alexander Ashpool identified as one of the members perpetuating the break-in. We invite Alexander Ashpool to share evidence of his whereabouts on the day of the break-in along with asking The Isolationist party why, under their appointed AG, forced entry into a rival political parties headquarters during the run up to a lt-premier election isn’t cause for investigation. Gurava feel this case is worthy of a public trial, and will be raising a motion in the house to form a investigative committee into the incident.
2560 Presidential Run
In the months in the run up to the election, Gurava where one of the first parties to announce a candidate. The Gurava Party confirmed that Senator Reiner Grumman would be their nominee as their party primary concluded. Senator Grumman was joined at the party convention in Bradbury City, on Mars, by Rep Jaerayn Welling, whom he had defeated in sixteen out of the nineteen primary contests and Henderson Loke, the Mayor of Athens. Senator Grumman thanked his opponents for holding him to task and providing a strong contest throughout the Gurava Party primary contest. He thanked Rep Welling for her honesty and intelligence and Mayor Loke for providing “a breath of fresh air and optimism” to the campaign. Senator Grumman confirmed that Mayor Loke would join him on the ticket as his running mate, a surprise move to many people. Henderson Loke , the 50-year-old Mayor of Athens on Earth, who was seen as a progressive firebrand who had emerged as a new figure during the primary contest. The Campaign started very strong for Gurava under Reiner Grumman, with polling opening with the party still at 20% many where readying themselves for the likely chances of a centre-left government forming after election day. As the weeks rolled by, Reiner oversaw Gurava partner with regional parties such as The MWP on Mars and The Justice and Peace party on many frontier worlds, along with this a fusion ticket was announced with Librarius to ensure both parties did not run against each other. Reiner's campaign, which saw him campaigning across key political battlegrounds like New Berlin, was going well until the broadcasted televised debate saw him be the target of many misdirect challenges from The Isolationist Party , Valiant Party and Ravenheart along with a few muddled answers on the topic of National Security, a historic weak point for Gurava at the time, that required many follow up clarifications. This saw Reiner's polling drop to an all time low of 17%. The Grumman campaign was further damaged a few days later following reports that Reiner had returned to The Republic after having a one on one meeting with the Tranoan Emperor, Katavius IX, the first Terran to meet with the Tranoan Emperor in over 200 years. Controversies sprung up almsot instantly with The Isolationist Party launching a scathing attack advert against Senator Grumman and the Gurava party. During the main advert, General Groff speaking directly to camera, described Senator Grumman as "a danger to national security", Gurava's polls dropped even lower and a rumoured association deal that would have seen Sav Marak, a left wing political party on Al Ahily partner with Gurava, break apart as the party confirmed their run with The SDP] following the news. The 2560 election concluded in one the closest results in Republic history, with Gurava leading the polls at 18%. Reiner was quick to attempt to build a government and was seen having numerous late night meetings with leaders of Vishnu Elpis and The SDP, notably Herrick Knottman . Despite his parties electoral sucess many politicans saw Reiner's views too extreme and cited his connection to the Tranoan Empire too close for them to support him as president of a centre-left coalition. In may 2560, after 2 months of deadlocked negotioations Herrick Knottman was elected President with Reiner Grumman appointed as Foreign Secretary.Business Ventures
Following his years spent in Tranoan Space and the great respect Reiner had for their technology he set up Gallimimus Solutions, a Tranoan goods export company, in 2550. The first main project for the company was running the technical operations of the terraforming of Tyr Reiner oversaw House Grumman's aquisition of EDN in 2570. Following a brutal and expensive bidding war with Ashpool-Kilian Industries House Grumman bought a controlling share thanks to investment from ARBIForeign Secretary
Tazzyn Relations
Reiner Spent a considerable ammount of time visiting the Tazzyn shoring up positive relations in an attempt to pave the path for a renegotion of the Military Base deal that had been signed as part of Unification effforts decades earlier; there was a growing tension in Terran spaceTranoan Relations
Despite the previous contension surrounding Reiner's relationship with the Tranoans, Reiner was tasked with a focus of improving Terran / Tranoan relations, and would often travel to Tranoan space to meet with key figures in times of tensionGrey Striders Treaty
Early into his Term Reiner was tasked with estabolishing a treaty with the Grey-Striders Tribe, Rebels agaist the Dhau Empire currently seizing an opportunity to leave dur to the ongoing Dhau/Straetek War. Working with the Knottman administration Reiner took the opportunity to set up an ambitious treaty to bring the Rebel Grey-Striders Dhau tribe into the Republic, which would reclaim the lost worlds of Vodhyna, Skerrit's World and Theta Draconis. The deal would see payments made to the Grey Striders over the next 20 years, despire the binding commitments and quick turnaround,it was agreed by the Senate and signed into law. The Dhau pulled out of the worlds 94 Aquarria and Prospero , allowing them to join the Republic's sphere too.Tranoan Ambassador
Following the formation of President Groff's unity cabinet, Reiner was givenSenior Staff to President Loke and Zzendi War
Henderson Loke was a long time friend to Reiner ever since The 2560 Republic Election. Following the shock death of Aston Groff and Loke's accension to the Presidency, Reiner was asked to step in as senior staff and advisor to the President during this dramatic time. Reiner remained a strong ally and key confident to the President, alongside cheif of Staff Deborah Zane, and was very vocal in steering Gurava into a role of leadership - often quietening down the more radical wings of the party at this time. Reiner took a key role in helping stratergize the President's press and media plans.Continued International Work
In his capacity as someone so close to the Presidency Reiner would advice Loke on key foreign policy efforts and was pivotal in gathering CCN allies to his families estate on New Berlin to convene a strategic conference on the Zzendi War to futher co-ordinate stratergy and joint leadership, it is some part thanks to this conference which encouraged many of the Tazzyn forces to get further involved with the defence of Terran Space.Tranoan Relations
Reiner was able to secure finacial support from The Tranoans to help bolster the Terran defence against the Zzendi and Reiner would often be found to be meeting with Tranoan Ambassadors during the ongoing conflict. When news broke out regarding the Ashenmark Scandal. An early complex challenge for the Loke administration was dealing with what to do with the Ashenmark technology that was being handed over as per the "Ashenmark Agreement". Much of this technology was, apparently, derived from stolen Tranoan technology and the Tranoans were insisting that it be handed over. Secretary of War Eleutheria Ashpool (VAL) suggested that the technology was needed for the war effort. This position was echoed by many of her fellow conservatives in the coalition including new Treasury Secretary Pierce Moreland (RCP) and Senator Hayse Dutton (ISO). Senior Counsel to the President Morse Cutbill (ISO) gave a fierce speech, calling this a "landmark moment" for the direction of the Republic. This was opposed by Reiner who voiced the strong need for co-operation with our allies in this moment The issue appeared to be resolved when Foreign Secretary Crawford Navarro (VE) had gotten agreement from the Tranoans to accept the return of the technology after the war. The Ashenmark was formally dissolved August 1 2575. Reiner was often noted to be travelling between Tranoan and Republic space during this time, with his staff briefed to "be all over anythign related to this important issue".Return to Ambassadorship
Private Life Outside of Politics
Unsurprisingly with all his travel, Reiner did not often speak much of his Private Life and would not often stay in one place for too long. Following the onslaught on his private life in both his Senate and Presidential campaigns Reiner appeared to have shyed away from family life, often travelling away from his wife and children for months at a time. Reiner is a vegetatian, and a vocal supporter of a plant based diet "for the health of ones own mind and the universe that surrounds us" Due to his religous belief Reiner is teetotal and became known for cracking open bottles of "Salburk", a Rorn star-aloe infused sparkling spring water, in times of celebation, a drink he likens to his answer to Champagne.
Current Location
Species
Year of Birth
2515
75 Years old
Birthplace
Kulden Hall, New Berlin
Family
Children
Gender
Male
Belief/Deity
Tranoan Spiritualism
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
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