Great Lakes Wire

In a recent interview with NewsTalk STL, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ralph Rebandt said he supported election integrity and picture voter ID, but disagreed with the assertion that voter ID requirements are racist.

Rebandt is opposing incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. 

Rebandt was born and raised in Woodhaven, Michigan, according to his website. He has served as the lead pastor for Oakland Hills Community Church in Farmington Hills Michigan since 1987, and also serves as the chairman of the OPC Church Extension Committee (CHEX). 

Rebandt is additionally a chaplain for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police, Farmington Hills Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department and stands as a board member for the Farmington Hills Crime Prevention Advisory Committee.

"Even in the African American community. I've been reaching into that community for 15 years as a pastor. I found that encouraging to know. If you go back to 2005, the federal government had the Baker Carter election commission. When you have mass absentee ballots, it creates the greatest opportunity for fraud. It suggests we have PICTURE voter ID. When Democrats come out with the narrative that you're being racist, that's not true at all here in Michigan," Rebandt said in an interview on May 13.

He is optimistic about the prospects for Republicans in future elections in the state. 

"There is no question, we are seeing all over the state support for Donald Trump. We are seeing people who obviously miss his policies and all the good he did for our country. Our country is on the edge. Marxism and communism is knocking on our door and taking over our schools. Any Republican could beat her," Rebandt said. "Whitmer has made such a mess with her policies that were illegal and unconstitutional."

He criticized the policies of President Joe Biden as excessively internationally focused.

"Biden's policies are globalist policies," Rebandt said. "Every time people fill up their cars they feel that pain from Biden's policies."

Rebandt believes the public does not support the policies being pushed by the Democrats.

"People are frustrated that Whitmer, Biden, they're all part of this global design," Rebandt said. "The lunacy of the left right now and that agenda right is just outrageous."

Rebandt concluded his interview by expressing concern for the future of the country.

"I'm convinced that if we don't get God right in this next election, nothing else will matter. We've watched our Constitution erode, and trying to remove God from everything we do," Rebandt signed off from the interview.

Secure Michigan Vote is circulating a petition that would require voter ID. Their goal is to increase confidence in Michigan elections, the Great Lakes Wire reported.

Rebandt will be on the ballot in the Republican primary on Aug. 2, Ballotpedia reported.