Lauren Rakolta - Vice-Chairman
Born and raised in Oakland County, Lauren has been an active participant in Republican politics countywide beginning in 1992 as a volunteer on her aunt's United States Senate run. Through that experience Lauren quickly came to realize the importance of small and conservative government. Her family taught her the value of democracy and capitalism and she has interwoven these principles into her basic and everyday beliefs ever since.
Lauren is an alumnus of Cranbrook Kingswood Schools. She graduated in 2001 with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University. After graduation, Lauren moved to Boston, Massachusetts where she took a position with the Romney for Governor Committee as a Deputy Finance Director. Upon Governor Romney's gubernatorial win in 2002, Lauren took positions in the Governor's Office as Deputy Director of External Affairs and later at the Massachusetts Republican State Party as Deputy Finance Director. After a short leave from the political scene Lauren rejoined Governor Romney as a Finance Director for the Commonwealth PAC in late 2005.
Most recently Lauren served as National Deputy Finance Director at the Romney for President Campaign where she was responsible for overseeing the Finance operations for the Great Lakes States and was responsible for raising more than $13 Million. Lauren also served as a Finance Consultant for the John McCain 2008 Campaign. Lauren is still active with Mitt Romney's Free and Strong America PAC.
In January 2009 Lauren took a position at Walbridge, a Detroit based international General Contractor.
As Vice-Chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party, Lauren's main focus will be community outreach, establishing a comprehensive web-campaign, and heading up the Finance arm of the operation.
Since moving back to Oakland County two years ago, Lauren has been an active volunteer within the party both locally and statewide. This past election cycle Lauren volunteered her services to many different organizations and candidates including the Michigan Republican State Party, Oakland County Republican Party, Knollenberg for Congress, Michael Bouchard for Oakland County Sherriff, Scott Romney for Michigan State University Board of Trustees, Lisa Bouchard for Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and Danialle Karmanos for Wayne State University Board of Trustees,
Lauren's current activities include:
- Board Member - Founders Junior Council at the Detroit Institute of Arts
- Board Member - The Parade Company
- Committee Member - New Wave Committee at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
- Committee Member - 2009 Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference
- 9th District Republican Executive Committee Member
- Co-Chairman, Mitten Men
Other passions include: reading, travelling, snowboarding and skateboarding, yoga, golf, tennis, and her rescue dog Taco.
