Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer accused her Republican opponent, Tudor Dixon, of “stoking violence” and promoting conspiracy theories aimed to divide people, while Dixon stated that voters have felt the agony of the Democrat’s failures and that Michiganders “deserve better.”
In the final debate before the midterm elections in two weeks, the candidates squared off. Dixon, a former businesswoman and conservative commentator backed by former President Donald Trump, hopes a late surge of support would enable her to unseat the first-term incumbent Democrat, who has a multimillion-dollar funding edge.
Whitmer and her fellow Democrats bombarded Dixon with advertisements for months before the Republican and her allies, notably the DeVos family, replied. The last weeks of the campaign have appeared to be increasingly competitive, with both candidates airing television advertisements and holding public events throughout the state.
“We always anticipated a close race,” Whitmer told reporters following the debate. “This is a great state, yet it is sometimes split. I do not take any individual, vote, or community for granted.”
Economy and price level
Regarding the continuous inflation and high costs on the minds of voters, Dixon stated that Whitmer “has not helped.” She slammed the governor for vetoing a GOP bill to freeze the state’s 27-cent-per-gallon gas tax earlier this year and warned that a recession is “at our doorstep.”
Whitmer termed the legislation passed by the legislature under Republican control a “gimmick.” It would have froze the tax for six months beginning in 2023, which, according to Whitmer, would not have provided immediate assistance to those in need.
“I don’t have time for games, and I doubt you do either,” Whitmer added, adding that global inflation is an issue. She stated that her government was able to assist Michigan residents by offering free or low-cost child care.
Whitmer questioned how Dixon, who supports abolishing the state’s income tax, would balance the state budget and assure adequate spending for sectors such as education without the about $12 billion in income tax revenue.
Dixon answered that she would gradually eliminate the tax, indicating it could be done within eight to ten years. She also pointed out that other states lack an income tax and stated that it is not a “radical” notion.
School security
One of Whitmer’s most incisive remarks of the evening concerned school safety. A debate was conducted at Oakland University approximately 15 miles from Oxford High School, where four classmates were fatally murdered by a kid last year. On Monday, the gunman, who was 16 years old, pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree murder.
In a discussion regarding education, Dixon criticized Whitmer’s administration for permitting books containing references to sex and gender in school libraries.
“Do you truly believe that books are more harmful than firearms?” Whitmer inquired. She dismissed the book controversy as a distraction at a time when school shootings are commonplace. The governor advocated for tighter gun legislation, such as background checks and safe storage.
When asked about the remark following the discussion, Dixon stated that she does not differentiate.
“I believe that there are hazards everywhere for our children. I do not differentiate between the two “She stated, I want to ensure the safety of our children no matter what.
Dixon is backed by the National Rifle Association and stated her support for armed guards in schools and single-entry facilities during the debate. She cited a research on how to improve school security and stated that if it had been adopted at Oxford, “we could have saved lives.”
Former prosecutor Whitmer retorted, “Consider who will keep your children safe. A former prosecutor with ambitions, or a candidate with prayers?”
Abortion
The first question of the evening once again focused on abortion, which has dominated the election since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark judgment granting the right to abortion in June. Before the high court’s judgment, Whitmer filed a lawsuit to halt the implementation of a 1931 abortion ban in Michigan.
Voters will determine whether to entrench the right to the procedure in the state constitution via a proposition on the ballot in November. The two candidates had different opinions on what the constitutional amendment would permit.
Dixon, who opposes abortion save to save the mother’s life, asserted that the legislation would permit abortion “up to the moment of birth for any cause” and called it the “most radical abortion bill in the country.” Anyway, Dixon stated that voters could vote however they wished on the proposition and still vote for her.
Whitmer stated that the proposal would restore abortion rights that had been in effect for 49 years before Roe v. Wade was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court and that Dixon’s claims about the idea were false.
Women candidates
When asked by moderators to offer something positive about their opponent, both candidates focused on the other’s motherhood. Dixon has four daughters in school, whereas Whitmer has two daughters in college and three stepsons.
Dixon applauded Whitmer’s focus on her daughters and her advocacy for women, while Whitmer acknowledged Dixon’s “difficulty in running for government and raising children.”
Dixon and Whitmer’s race for governor of Michigan is the first time two women have competed against each other. This fall, there are five races between women at the national level. According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, this is more than there have been in all elections in the country’s history combined.