Sen. Marco Rubio
Photos: L to R: John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie: Bottom row: Peter Karmanos Jr., Hank Meijer, John Rakolta Jr., Dan Gilbert
Michigan's big names in big business are lining up behind their favorite Republican candidates for the 2016 presidential race.
John Rakolta Jr., CEO of the Walbridge construction company in Detroit, began circulating a Sen. Marco Rubio endorsement letter for president to Michigan Republicans on Monday, writes Chad Livengood of The Detroit News' Lansing bureau. The move comes two months after he contributed $2,700 to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
“I’ve been telling everybody that my calculation is I want to look forward, not back,” Rakolta tells The News. “I thought during the debates he proved to be a statesman. He mixed it up a bit, but he never got personal.”
Livengood reports that Rakolta is co-chairing a fundraiser next week with venture capitalist and philanthropist Phillip Fisher, Deloitte LLP executive Mark Davidoff and Bloomfield Hills real estate investor Joey Agree.
Grand Rapids businessman Peter Secchia recently hosted Bush for a “friendraiser” event in Grand Rapids that was attended by billionaire grocery store magnate Hank Meijer, Livengood reports.
Real estate developer Michael Kojaian and Suburban Collection CEO David T. Fischer are heading up Bush’s Michigan fundraising efforts, the News reports.
Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah, Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emerson have donated to Bush’s campaign.
Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert has put up $750,000 for a super political action committee supporting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
PVS Chemicals executive David Nicholson and members of his family held a fundraiser in Detroit for Ohio Gov. John Kasich last Monday. And ex-Compuware CEO Peter Karmanos has donated $500,000 to the super PAC supporting Kasich.
