FARMINGTON HILLS — Ralph Rebandt, a pastor of a Farmington Hills church for 35 years, is running for the second time as a Republican candidate for governor.
Rebandt sought the Republican nomination in the 2022 election but lost in the primary.
Rebandt is currently chaplain for Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Farmington Hills Police Department, and Beverly Hills Police Department, as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
He is also the founder and president of Michigan Lighthouse Ministries.
A crowded Republican field is expected to challenge for governor in the 2026 election to replace Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.
Rebandt is facing six other Republicans so far, including Congressman John James, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, Anthony Hudson and Karla Wagner.