Ralph Rebandt

Ralph Rebandt was born in Wyandotte, Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Summit University in 1980 and two graduate degrees from Westminster Seminary in 1982 and 1983. His professional experience includes working as a lead pastor. Rebandt has also served as a police chaplain for Michigan Chiefs of Police, as chairman for Regional Church Planting, and on the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy in Washington D.C. He has been associated with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police, the Farmington Hills Police Department, the Beverly Hills Police Department, the International Federation of Chaplains, and the International Conference of Police Chaplains.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Ralph was raised in Woodhaven, Wayne County. He served as lead pastor for Oakland Hills Community Church, Farmington Hills for 35 years. He is chaplain for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police, Farmington Hills Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, and serves on the board for the Farmington Hills Crime Prevention Advisory Committee. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Education from Summit University, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; Master's Degree in Religious Education and Master of Divinity Degree from Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, where he graduated magna cum laude and acquired credits in the Ph.D. program. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Michigan Laborers Union, and the United Steelworkers. He served as Religious Advisor on Governor Engler’s Sex and Drugs Education Task Force and as a member for Farmington Families in Action. Presently, he serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy in Washington, D.C., and as a member of Farmington Hills Suicide Awareness for Everyone. He and his high school sweetheart, Carol, were married in 1976 and have four grown children and sixteen grandchildren. They live in Oakland County, Michigan.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will restore the foundation of our National Motto "In God We Trust". The First Amendment was designed to protect the religious rights of American citizens, and although our National Motto, "In God We Trust", has been challenged numerous times over the past 50 years, it has been successfully upheld by the Supreme Court. The Founders understood this and framed our Declaration of Independence to confirm the fact that our rights come from God and not the government or any other entity. Unless we get God right, nothing else will matter, and the claims of socialism and communism will find a place in the public square and in the marketplace of ideas.I will uphold the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution and appoint administration, assign department heads, and fill vacancies with those who uphold the same. Many of our liberties have been confiscated and I will fight to restore election integrity, medical freedom, school choice, American exceptionalism, limited government, protection of unborn life, protection of free speech, protection of religion, and protection of the Second Amendment as written and understood by our Founders.Michigan will need a strong leader to navigate through the post pandemic economy, and I have consulted with some of the nation’s finest and most respected conservative economists to develop a plan that will allow Michigan to not just coast, but soar to new economic horizons. This plan includes the reduction of government regulation, budget accountability, and tax reform that will attract others to move to Michigan as we become a Lighthouse to the Nation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about policies that promote God, family, and country, and these are foundational to how I view public policy. The best way to implement change is by considering those who would be affected by it. Too often, bureaucratic ideas and projects are embraced by those who are unrelated to the fallout from those decisions. Rarely is God discussed, seldom is the family unit considered, and what is best for the country has been replaced by global aspirations. It’s time that strategies are employed that include an intentional discussion on how God, family, and country are affected by policy. Policies that I am passionate about include election integrity, medical freedom, school choice, educational reform, budget accountability, American exceptionalism, limited government, protection of unborn life, protection of free speech, protection of religion, support of law enforcement, and protection of the Second Amendment.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus Christ is my Savior and His example is the most important in my life. I have been blessed with many role models starting with my parents, many solid exemplary school teachers, my wife and beautiful family, and many pastors who have exemplified the humility of Christ. I have a deep respect for our Founders who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for the cause of freedom. As far as national leaders, I have deep respect for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump because they all did the right thing in the face of fierce opposition.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Founders understood the limited role of government as revealed in the U.S. Constitution. I would encourage everyone to read through the U. S. Constitution and other foundational documents to understand the purpose and intent of the role of government.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a man of integrity. I tell the truth.

I make wise decisions based on truth.

I put others before myself.

I have been married to my wife for 45 years and we have four children and 16 grandchildren.

I have served the citizens of Michigan for 35 years in varied capacities.

I have developed relationships with people from all walks of life.

I serve on the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy, Washington D.C. and have developed relationships with conservative national leaders.

I am a historian and understand the role of government and that where there is limited government there is more freedom.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was the most honest, transparent, accessible, and accountable governor in the history of Michigan who served the state well and brought unity and common sense back to civic life.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was five years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I ran a paper route for the Detroit Free Press for a couple years during my early teen years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible is my favorite book because it is God's revelation.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Losing a granddaughter at 3 weeks of age due to congenital birth defects.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

Those who are the best servants make the best governors. I have served the people of Michigan for the past 35 years with integrity and transparency as a pastor, a community leader, and police chaplain. I've experienced the joys and disappointments of the people of Michigan and have supported them in a wide variety of situations. I am a compassionate listener, and I believe that a governor should listen more than speak. Governors are elected officials who represent and serve the people. I agree with Ronald Reagan who once said "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives."

Governors must be willing to stand firm for what is right and have the ability to motivate and encourage others to stand with them in the face of opposition. They must understand that you can't fix the state until you fix the city, and you can't fix the city until you fix the neighborhood, and you can't fix the neighborhood until you fix the family.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

I believe that good governors are the last line of defense when the national government has gone out of control. Governors must be willing to make the tough calls and to stand firm in defense of the Constitution and rights of its citizens.

In the state of Michigan, reducing government regulation, encouraging the growth of small business, promoting the start of new business, encouraging and approving legislation that promotes integrity in our elections, encouraging energy independence, and supporting our Constitutional rights are all responsibilities that are important to me as the 50th governor of Michigan as well as the people of this great state.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

Operation Roundtable is a strategy listed on our website, ralphrebandtforgovrnor.com that will be used to address the state budget of Michigan. There are nine segments of society that are affected by the budget, yet as politics usually go, only one segment is represented in discussing the budget, and that being politicians, and most often these politicians listen to lobbyists in preparation for budget decisions. However, I will listen to representation from every day, ordinary citizens that will be invited to the round table in my office. The budget involves more people than just politicians, and this should be reflected in the adoption of state budget and budgetary concerns.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

In Michigan, the governor has the power to make line-item vetoes. I would consider the advice of my colleagues, of the Roundtable participants, and of the Republican core values of God, family, and country.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between governor and state legislature is first and foremost open, honest, and transparent dialogue. Secondly there needs to be an understanding that both governor and legislature serve the people, and are accountable to them. Thirdly, there must be commitment to support and defend the Constitution of Michigan and the Constitution of the United States.

What do you love most about your state?

Michigan is the most amazing state in America! It is surrounded by almost 20% of the world’s fresh water. From our natural resources, innovative industries, small businesses, agricultural ingenuities, educational choices, and gorgeous lakes, Pure Michigan is second to none. You can watch the sunrise over Lake Huron, jump in your car, and catch the sunset over Lake Michigan – all in one day!

I love the hard working, friendly, resilient people of Michigan. We are part of a carefully woven tapestry; a tapestry that has survived a Revolution, a Civil War, two World Wars, and a host of other catastrophic events.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Economy, rights, liberty, use of natural resources, education reform, infrastructure, help for hard hit zip codes and our most vulnerable citizens.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has created challenges for the people of Michigan in almost every area and segment of society. Although these are challenges, it is easier to see the light when darkness has prevailed, and our way out is clear, we just need the right leadership at the helm.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Only as defined by law and with the founding principles of liberty and freedom.