LET’S GET TOGETHER

Lauren Rakolta

It’s billed as a friendly meet up – no financial ask, just an introduction to a relatively unknown Republican gubernatorial candidate by a big Oakland County name. That’s what took place pre-holiday at Oakland Hills Country Club, when Lauren Rakolta, first cousin of Ronna (don’t call me Romney) McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, invited local ladies to attend a “get to know you” breakfast or lunch with Tudor Dixon, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor. “Lauren is a force,” said one Republican who knows her, noting she is now the finance chair for the Michigan Republican Party. She’s the daughter of John Rakolta, who was named ambassador to Morocco by former President Donald Trump. The same Republican has noted that Dixon, who has visited Trump at Mar-a-lago, has a strong chance at getting his nod.