Michigan Governor Debates Tax Cuts, Abortion, Guns

ROCHESTER, Michigan (AP) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday accused Republican challenger Tudor Dixon of “inciting violence” and promoting conspiracy theories meant to divide people. did. Better. ”

Dixon, a former businesswoman and conservative commentator endorsed by former President Donald Trump, said her recent endorsements weren’t enough for her to oust incumbent Democrats with a multimillion-dollar fundraising edge. I hope the surge helps.

Whitmer and fellow Democrats spent months beating Dixon with ads before Republicans and her supporters — including the family of former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos — responded. The last few weeks of the movement looked like a rather competitive contest, with candidates appearing on television and candidates holding public events across the state.

“We always knew it was going to be a close match,” Whitmer told reporters after the debate. “It’s a great state, but it’s also a divided state at times. I don’t take people, votes, or communities for granted.”

Tuesday’s debate was the last meeting before the November election. Here are some of the exchanges:

___ Economy

Dixon said Whitmer “isn’t helping anything” because continued inflation and high prices are among voters’ biggest problems. She criticized Whitmer for vetoing a Republican bill earlier this year that would freeze the state’s 27-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax, and said the recession was “right on our doorstep.”

But Whitmer called the bill approved by the Republican-led Congress a “gimmick.” The law, which will take effect in 2023, would freeze taxes for six months. Whitmer said the delay will prevent immediate assistance from being provided to those in need.

“I don’t have time to play games, and I don’t think you will either,” Whitmer said, adding that inflation is a worldwide problem. He said he was able to help the people of Michigan by providing assistance such as

Whitmer questioned how Dixon, who supports repeal of the state income tax, would balance the state budget and ensure adequate funding for areas such as education without the approximately $12 billion the state receives from the income tax.

Dixon countered that he would eliminate the tax over time, suggesting it could take eight to 10 years, noting that there are other states with no income tax that would be considered “radical.” ” He pointed out that it was not an idea.

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school safety

Whitmer delivered one of her sharpest remarks of the night regarding school safety. The debate at the University of Auckland was held about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away from Oxford High School, where a teenage student shot dead four of her students last year. The 16-year-old shooter pleaded guilty Monday to charges including first-degree murder.

In several exchanges on education, Dixon has been critical of the Whitmer administration’s permission to place books in school libraries that she said were inappropriate because they referred to sex and gender. did. Whitmer called it a distraction when deadly school shootings were a regular occurrence.

“Do you really think books are more dangerous than guns?” Whitmer asked. She called for stricter gun control, including background checks and safe gun storage.

Dixon, when asked after the debate about this remark, said she made no distinction.

“I think there are dangers lurking everywhere with our children. I wouldn’t rank one as different from the other,” she said. I want to ensure the safety of

Dixon is endorsed by the National Rifle Association and said during the debate that she supports having armed guards in schools and single-family buildings. , said it “could have saved lives” had it been implemented at Oxford.

Whitmer, a former prosecutor, countered.

“Who will keep your children safe? An ex-prosecutor with a plan, or a candidate with thoughts and prayers?”

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abortion

The first question of the night again centered on abortion. It’s a topic that has dominated the race since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his landmark lawsuit granting abortion rights in June. Prior to this decision, Whitmer filed a lawsuit in Michigan to block the enactment of his 1931 abortion ban.

The state’s November ballot proposal would allow voters to decide whether to enshrine procedural rights in the state constitution. I did not.

Dixon, who opposes abortion unless it saves the mother’s life, said the proposal was “the most radical abortion law in the country” but would allow abortion “for any reason, right up to the moment of birth.” claimed to admit it. But Dixon said her voters could vote for her proposals as they pleased while voting for her.

Whitmer said the proposal would restore abortion rights that were in effect for 49 years before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and that nothing Dixon said about the proposal was true. rice field.

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female candidate

Asked by moderators to say something nice about their opponents, each focused on their role as mothers. I have three sons-in-law.

Dixon praised Whitmer’s focus on his daughters and the fight for women, and Whitmer praised Dixon for “how difficult it is to run for public office and raise children.” said.

The race between Dixon and Whitmer marks the first time two women have faced off for governor of Michigan. Nationwide, there are five women-on-women races this fall. That’s more than all elections in the country’s history combined, according to the Center for Women’s Politics in America at Rutgers University.

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Burnett reported from Chicago.

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Joey Cappelletti is a member of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover hidden issues.