TIME OF RECKONING

With only 11 months remaining before the 2026 primary election, we can assume that the likely list for party candidates will firm up soon. That process could happen quickly now that we hear Republican Kevin Rinke, who made his millions with the Rinke Automotive Group and a couple of medical field ventures, could be zeroing in on plans for the coming year. Rinke’s name has been part of a number of conversations since he ran for governor in 2022, losing out in the party primary by taking only 21.5 percent of the vote against Tudor Dixon. This year political wags have figured him as a possible contender for the state’s top spot, for which last time he spent $10 million of his personal money. But we are now told that Rinke is looking to jump into the 10th district race for the U.S. House seat being vacated by John James. He has told more than one person that he is willing to commit $5 million of his personal wealth to get in this contest for a district which is made up of the southern part of Macomb County along with parts of Oakland County, including Rochester and Rochester Hills. Yes, he would legitimately be considered a carpet bagger, much like James when he first ran for the House, although members of Congress do not have to live in the district. We hear from several GOP insiders that Macomb County attorney Robert Lulgjuraj of Sterling Heights, a declared candidate, remains the party favorite. But we also continue to hear that Michael Bouchard, Jr. – Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard’s son – is still interested in this race and his father has been attempting to raise campaign funds in Washington D.C. but is finding it a difficult hustle. If Rinke enters the contest, watch the field quickly narrow. Money talks and bs walks, as the old adage goes.