He made an unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination for the Michigan Senate district in Sterling Heights and areas north, losing to Dave Jaye in the 1998 primary.

Rocca graduated from Detroit's Southwestern High School and has taken courses at Macomb Community College.

During this time his wife Sue filled the state house seat he had previously held.

In 1998, he ran for the Republican nomination for the state senate seat vacated by the death of Doug Carl but lost to Dave Jaye in the primary.

Rocca previously worked for General Motors and was a licensed real estate broker.