Governor Gretchen Whitmer and challenger Tudor Dixon have squared off in their second and final debate ahead of the November 8 election. Speaking Tuesday, the two repeated their performance from two weeks ago, with each calling the other a liar. Once again, abortion and Proposal 3 were top issues. Dixon said Whitmer is an extremist who supports no limits on abortion, referring to Prop 3.
“When Governor Whitmer tells you that this is going to be Roe, it’s not even close to Roe,” Dixon said. “It’s not codifying Roe in our constitution, but it would be the most radical abortion law in the entire country. The only places that have something similar are China and North Korea.”
Dixon said if Proposal 3 passes, parents will lose rights. Whitmer said that’s ridiculous.
“None of what she just said is true,” Whitmer said. “And here’s why you can’t trust anything she’s saying when it comes to reproductive rights. She’s the one that said a 14-year-old child raped by her uncle is a perfect example of someone who should not have reproductive rights and the ability to choose. She went further to say it is healing for a person who is raped to carry that child to term.”
Whitmer called Dixon dangerous, saying she’s an election denier. She also warned Dixon’s claims about respecting the will of the voters on Proposal 3 have been proven false.
On inflation, Dixon said Whitmer has failed to give Michiganders a break when she could have.
“This governor has not done anything to help inflation, but I would put money back in your pockets,” Dixon said. “I would make sure that we have that child tax credit, I would make sure that we reduce the income tax, and I would make sure that our seniors, who are on a fixed income, are not receiving more taxes than they should and we can put more money back in their pockets.”
Whitmer said the inflation is a worldwide problem, not just focused on the United States. She pointed to things the administration has done to help people cope with childcare and education costs. On energy, Dixon called for the Line 5 pipeline to be allowed to stay open, while Whitmer said a new energy future is on the horizon.
“I want to make sure that we’re expanding our energy alternatives and clean energy and being good stewards of our water,” Whitmer said. “We know that climate change is already having a huge impact, whether it’s a tornado in Gaylord or flooding in Midland. I showed up, I helped people get through it, but we need to build out clean energy alternates and be the driving force in the transition in or autos.”
On education, Dixon said Michigan students have fallen behind due to being kept out of the classroom during COVID, while Whitmer said her only thought was protecting their lives at the height of the pandemic. With recent controversy about banning some books in schools, Dixon warned pornographic materials are being allowed in school libraries, while Whitmer said all students need to feel accepted and safe. She wondered if anyone believes books are more dangerous than guns.
