Michigan lawmakers bellyflop outside Capitol for a cause

State Rep. Leslie Love, D - Detroit, center, reacts after participating in the sixth annual Legislative Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Michigan on a snowy afternoon outside of the Capitol building in Lansing on Thursday, Mar. 2, 2017. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- The forecast was was 30 degrees with snow and a flurry of soaking wet state lawmakers outside the capitol on Thursday.

That last item was from the sixth annual Legislative Polar Plunge, where lawmakers jumped into ice cold water in a makeshift pool near the capitol steps to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan.

The group provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to Michiganders with intellectual disabilities. Three of its athletes recited the athlete's oath before the event: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

And then lawmakers, lobbyists and staffers were on deck to take the plunge.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is a perennial polar plunger at the event.

"I try not to play favorites, but Special Olympics, it's my favorite," he said, shortly before taking the plunge, clothed in a full tuxedo.

He led a star-studded cast featuring lawmakers such as brothers Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing, and Rep. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores; Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Twp., dressed as superman; Reps. Leslie Love, D-Detroit and Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit as ninja turtles; and Rep. Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo in a reflective gold costume.

Melissa McKinley of Lansing lobbying firm Kelley Cawthorne announced at the event that 50 participants had jumped, raising $30,000 for Special Olympics Michigan.

Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, has jumped six times at the capitol event and 8 times total for Special Olympics. He jumped in his signature suit.

"The water was nice and cold, just the way I like it," he said after he'd jumped.

Jones said the money from the event was continuing to come in.