He received an Associate of Arts in public policy from Southeastern Community College and a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Western Illinois University.

[2] Rinker challenged Republican Tim Goodwin in the Iowa Senate primary elections for district 44 on June 2, 2020, and was defeated by over 1,900 votes.

He won the Republican primaries on June 7, 2022, by 10 points and faced long-time Democratic incumbent Dennis Cohoon in the general election on November 8.

[6] He won the Republican primaries on June 4, 2024, and will face Democrat Jim Beres in the general election on November 5, 2024.

[3] Rinker currently serves on the Local Government, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs committees, the lattermost of which he is vice chair.