OAKLAND UNIVERSITY, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and GOP challenger Tudor Dixon faced off in the final debate before the 2022 November election on Monday night.
Whitmer and Dixon accepted the invitation from Michigan Scripps stations FOX 17, WXYZ and WSYM to participate in a debate at Oakland University in Rochester. The debate aired statewide on TV and radio station.
The debate was moderated by FOX 17’s Doug Reardon, WXYZ’s Chuck Stokes and WSYM’s Elle Meyers.
To be eligible for the debate, gubernatorial candidates had to be polling at 5% or higher when invitations were extended. Whitmer and Dixon met those terms.
WATCH THE FULL DEBATE:
LIVE DEBATE UPDATES:
The debate started with opening statements. Whitmer gave her opening statement first.
“I’m fighting like hell to make sure women can make their own decisions about their bodies. Tonight, I think you’ll hear a lot of divisive rhetoric and misinformation and focus on the past from my opponent. I’ll try to stay focused on our shared focus.”
In Dixon’s opening statement, she said, “I’m running for governor because Gretchen Whitmer has taken us on the wrong track.”
Full opening statements:
Question 1: If Proposal 3 passes in a few weeks, how will you legislate if portions of that proposal work its way through the courts.
WSYM’s Elle Meyers asked Governor Whitmer the first question of the night: If Proposal 3 passes in a few weeks, how will you legislate if portions of that proposal work its way through the courts.
“The simple truth is, the way to protect women and ensure future generations have the same rights we’ve had for 49 years is by adopting Proposal 3 and I will be a ‘yes’ vote,” Whitmer said.
Dixon said, “The truth is, there is no more extreme position on abortion than Governor Whitmer’s.”
Full answers:
Question 2: Will you accept the results of the election?
Full anwerser:
Question 3:
Question 2: WXYZ’s Chuck Stokes asked, “With high levels of inflation hurting our pocketbooks, what steps would you take with state legislators to help relieve the weight of inflation for Michiganders?
In her answer, Whitmer said, “We know there is global inflation, it is not unique to Michigan, it is not unique to the United States. A governor cannot fix global inflation, but what I can do is put more money in your pockets. And that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
Stokes then asked Dixon: It is easy to criticize and point fingers when you are not in power. If you had been in power over the last four years, what decisions would you have made that would have helped change what’s happening in our economy, and if elected, what is your specific plan to make the economy better?
Dixon responded, “I would put money back in your pockets. I would make sure we have that child tax credit, I would make sure 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.
Full answers:
Question 4: People across the state have seen an increase in energy costs. How will you help Michiganders afford utilities this winter and is there a change in the future of energy?
Dixon started off her answer by stressing the importance of the Line 5 oil pipeline. Whitmer reminded Dixon that nothing has changed with Line 5.
Full answers:
Question 5: Will all retirees get a tax break or just pension recipients?
Coming into this debate, Governor Whitmer had a record to defend.
Moderators press her on something she said she wanted to do in her first term but hasn't yet, and that's repealing the retirement tax.
The moderators asked if the governor still had a plan to repeal the tax and if it would include pensions and 401(k) plans, too.
The governor didn't *directly answer the question on 401(k) plans but did say the GO Legislature was the thing holding up a repeal of the retirement tax.
Dixon on the other hand did say she would include 401(k)s and also called out the governor's inaction.
Full answers:
Question 6: What will you do to help improve Michigan’s public schools? How will you as governor change the education system in the state, and keep oversight over the state superintendent and Michigan Department of Education?
Full answers:
Question 7: How will you combat violence in schools?
Both candidates have proposed potential solutions to the problem, but they go about them in different ways.
Governor Whitmer is pushing for increased background checks, red flag and safe storage laws.
Dixon is pushing for increased armed security in schools.
"I would only support armed security in our schools. That's what I believe is the answer,” Dixon said.
Whitmer said, "If the legislature came and said we are willing to do red flag laws and background checks and secure storage, we also want to put more resources to ensure that there are additional public safety officers around, I would be eager to have that conversation. I've been trying to get them to take action."
Full answers:
Question 8: What is your stance on banning certain books?
Tudor Dixon repeated her claims that pornography exists in school libraries, saying a father told her he found a book describing how to have sex in his son's school library.
Dixon stated these types of books are "dangerous" for children.
Both candidates said that they think parents should be able to speak up if they have concerns.
Whitmer emphasized that parents have the right to be involved in their child's education.
Question 9: How are we going to fix Michigan’s infrastructure?
Fixing the roads was one of Whitmer's campaign promises in 2018.
She says she is on the right road to fulfilling that promise.
“The reason I focus on the roads is because when you have a busted rim, it can be money out of rent, can be money out of childcare. And that's why fixing the damn roads has been so important. Let's be clear, we are addressing decades of disinvestment. We've already rebuilt 13,000 lane miles, 900 bridges. There are orange cones and barrels all over the state because we are fixing the roads. The fact of the matter is, this is a huge issue for our economy, our personal safety, it is so crucial that we continue this work,” said Whitmer.
“People are wondering when the road from their house to work will be fixed. When will that be a priority? Because it's absolutely true that a broken rim is devastating. I know because I had one this year. In fact, I've had five flat tires on these roads. They are a total disaster,” Dixon responded. “We will work to make sure that there actually is a plan for the roads.”
Full answers:
Question 10: No-fault auto - What’s your plan to help the state’s victims of catastrophic crashes?
Full answers:
Question 11: What can you say positive about your opponent and the political party she represents?
“My opponent always talks about her daughters. As a mom of girls, I think that’s so important to come out and encourage your daughters and love your daughters. She has also made sure she’s fought for women and I love that about her,” Dixon said.
“I know how hard it is to run for office and raise kids. So, my hat’s off to anyone who is willing to do it. I think moms’ voices are important,” Whitmer said.
Full answers:
Question 12: How can you address the influx of Fentanyl within the ongoing opioid crisis?
Question 13: Would you mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for children to attend school?
Last week, the CDC recommended adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the recommended immunization schedule for kids and adults next year.
Moderators asked the candidates if they would accept that recommendation and require the COVID-19 vaccine for school attendance.
Whitmer and Dixon both said they would not require it, but Whitmer did say the vaccine and her administration's policies saved lives.
Dixon said says those policies devastated the economy.
Full Closing Statements:
CANDIDATE INFORMATION:
Whitmer was first elected in 2018 after previously serving as a state senator and state representative.
Dixon, who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump ahead of the primary election in August, is a former steel industry executive, conservative media talk show host and horror movie actress.
During their first face-to-face debate, the two candidates attacked each other for being “too extreme” on issues such as abortion, gun laws and the coronavirus pandemic.
The two are closer in the polls than they ever have been with Dixon gaining ground over the last several months.
The Democratic governor supports Proposal 2, saying it's another step to secure, protect and expand access to the ballot.
She supports Proposal 3, the abortion referendum which, if passed, would enshrine abortion rights into the Michigan constitution.
She believes the governor has a role to play in the abortion battle and points to her lawsuit filed that prohibited the 1931 abortion ban in Michigan when Roe v. Wade was struck down. She says while she would support the vote if it was shot down, that she would still fight to make sure young women and girls have the same rights she has had.
Dixon opposes abortion in all circumstances except in cases where the life of the mother is in danger. Her focus on education is primarily cultural, saying she wants to remove the "woke agenda” of sex and theory teachings in school. Some of her other agenda items include reducing regulation on businesses and keeping the Line 5 pipeline open, which Whitmer has fought to shut down.
Election 2022: Everything you need to know before casting your vote
Voters will head to the polls to vote in the general election on November 8.
