By Ruby Schwalm
The Michigan midterm election presents many issues to vote on. One of the main battles for votes is between candidates Gretchen Whitmer and Tudor Dixon. The election determines who represents Michigan as Governor.
Whitmer won the 2018 election against Attorney General Bill Schuette (Republican). She received 53.3% of the votes to name her Governor of Michigan. This year she goes head-to-head with Dixon, endorsed by the previous president, Donald Trump.
One of the most significant issues revolving around the candidates and the election is abortion rights.
After Michigan’s Court of Claims declared the abortion ban unconstitutional, Whitmer stated, “I have been fighting like hell to protect reproductive freedom in Michigan for months and am grateful for today’s lower court ruling declaring our extreme 1931 abortion law unconstitutional.”
While Whitmer openly supports abortion rights, Dixon holds a different opinion. Unless the mother’s life is in danger, Dixon is not in favor of abortion. Yet, this issue can be voted on aside from her policies.
Abortion in Michigan is many voters’ most significant concern regarding the November election, yet each candidate has other implements to offer.
Whitmer is up for re-election and has an extensive list of achievements from her time as Governor. Information from the Michigan Governor’s website talks about what she’s done. So far, Gov. Whitmer has signed over 900 bipartisan bills with both democrats and republicans, turned a $3 billion deficit into a $7 billion surplus while passing three balanced budgets without raising taxes, created almost 25,000 auto jobs in manufacturing booms, and cut taxes for small business owners while investing $400 million in local businesses to support and retain employment.
Whitmer is focused on improving Michigan’s economy, but Dixon has plans in the making as well.
Going into the midterm election, Dixon has created policies and stances on issues like education, economy, public safety, election integrity, energy and infrastructure, life, the second amendment, and lockdowns.
Referring to Dixon’s personal webpage, she aims to distribute tutoring certificates, reduce personal income tax, ban sanctuary cities, sign strong voter ID laws, prioritize road repairs, affirm a pro-life environment, and protect a constitutional right to carry and block mask mandates.
Each candidate brings forth a different set of issues for November that will be up for debate. These issues stem from their backgrounds.
Whitmer has experience in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan State Senate. She has been in the political atmosphere since 2001.
Dixon has been a conservative media figure and businesswoman. She maintains a different view of Michigan’s political journey due to her citizen-based perspective.
Michigan’s midterm election is on November 8, 2022, and Whitmer and Dixon will be featured on the ballot fighting for the governor’s seat.
Where to learn more:
Sample ballot:
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index
Tudor Dixon Background and policies:
https://www.tudordixon.com/meet
Gretchen Whitmer Background, achievements, and abortion statement:
https://ballotpedia.org/Gretchen_Whitmer
