ROCHESTER, Mich. (WXYZ) — The final debate showdown for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her Republican challenger Tudor Dixon took place Tuesday night.
Whitmer and Dixon faced off in the second debate ahead of the Nov. 8 election, which was broadcast on WXYZ-TV Channel 7 from the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Chuck Stokes (WXYZ Channel 7), Doug Reardon (WXMI FOX 17), and Elle Meyers (WSYM FOX 47) moderated the debate.
WATCH THE FULL DEBATE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER BELOW:
During opening statements, Dixon introduced herself as a mom of four, wife, cancer survivor and worker. She mentioned that schools closing during the coronavirus pandemic held students back and she wants to fix that.
Whitmer spoke about the work she's done during her time as governor, saying she pushes for great jobs and safe schools and communities. She also touted the work she says she's done across the aisle in the Legislature.
Both candidates said they will work to get kids back on track in schools after the pandemic.
ABORTION IN MICHIGAN
The candidates were first asked about the issue of abortion in the state of Michigan. Proposal 3 on the ballot would create a law in the Michigan Constitution that would protect reproductive rights, including the right to abortion. It would also invalidate a 1931 law that is currently on the books banning abortion in Michigan.
“Prop 3 is absolutely necessary to preserve the rights we’ve had for 49 years under Roe v. Wade,” said Whitmer. "... parental rights and consent will still be effective, we know that regulations will still be in effect. The simple truth is the way to protect women and ensure that future generations have the same rights we’ve had for 49 years is by adopting Proposal 3.”
In Dixon's response, she said Whitmer is being dishonest on her take on the proposal.
“We know that Proposal 3 does remove parental consent. It also makes it so you don’t have to be a doctor to perform an abortion. But it does align with her agenda, her past — she’s voted against a ban on partial birth abortion, and Proposal 3 allows abortion up to the moment of birth for any reason, including sex selection. There will be no legislating around Proposal 3, because it will be language in the constitution, so we can’t put those protections that we’ve had in place back in place … that we’ve had in place for all of these years," she said.
She went on to say this is "not even close to Roe and that "it would be the most radical abortion law in the entire country."
Whitmer rebutted, saying in part, “None of what she just said is true.”
INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY
On the topic of inflation, Whitmer was asked what steps she'd take with legislatures to help relieve inflation in Michigan, and if the her economic plan with President Joe Biden failed.
"We know that 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, which is exactly what we've done. Working in a bipartisan way with a Republican Legislature, we were able to help 150,000 families get free or low-cost day care — money in the pocket."
She says during her time as governor, 175,000 residents receive tuition-free skills. She said she's paid down debt in the state, which is how Michigan can eliminate the retirement tax, triple the earned income tax credit and pause the sales tax on gas. She said those proposals are in the Legislature.
Dixon was asked if she had been in power the last four years, what decisions would she have made to help the state's economy as well as her specific plan, if elected, to make the economy better.
Dixon first disagreed with Whitmer's response, saying when the governor had a chance to put money back in people's pockets, she's vetoed several bills.
"Well I've heard several times from Gretchen Whitmer that she'd work with anyone on anything and that she's bipartisan, but she's actually vetoed quite a lot of opportunity to put money back in the pockets of the people," Dixon said. "This governor has not done anything to help inflation, but I would put money back in your pockets."
Dixon also said she would ensure seniors on a fixed income would not receive more taxes than they should.
In Whitmer's rebuttal, she said the bills Dixon mentioned were a "gimmick" and that they would not go into law until 2023, adding that "she doesn't have time for games."
Related:
Here's where Gretchen Whitmer, Tudor Dixon stand on debate issues
Neither Whitmer nor Dixon would support COVID-19 vaccine mandate for kids
EDUCATION
Whitmer and Dixon were asked how they will improve public schools, keep oversight over the Department of Education and aim to make Michigan a top-10 state.
"This is something that has been a pillar of my campaign, to bring education back in the state of Michigan. Not only do we want to make sure that parents are involved in education, but we want to make sure our kids are back on track from the pandemic," Dixon said. "Most states that had schools out as long as Michigan — which there are very few, so close to as long as the state of Michigan had students out of school — have had comprehensive tutoring programs go into their schools."
Dixon says she "wants a comprehensive 25-hour tutoring program" in Michigan to help kids get back on track after online learning due to the pandemic.
"We've also had some historic challenges over the last few years, I think, to put it lightly," Whitmer said. "Mrs. Dixon says that I've kept students out longer than any other state. That's just not true. I worked closely with my Republican and Democratic governors, and kids were out for three months. The matter of the fact is, education is what levels the playing field for people and we've underinvested in it for decades."
Whitmer said the reason students were out of school for that time period is because of the knowledge used from 1918 during the last global pandemic. She also said the Legislature in the past few years has supported teachers by bringing down class sizes, providing mental health support and adding tutors and literacy coaches.
FIXING THE ROADS
While Whitmer was campaigning years back, she stood on "fix the damn roads." With construction season underway in the state, Whitmer was asked if better roads are being build.
"You know, I love talking about the roads. The reason I focus on the roads is because when you have a busted rim, it can be money out of rent, it can be money out of child care. And that's why fixing the damn roads has been so important," Whitmer said, adding that the state is "fixing decades of disinvestment."
"With plans to cut $12 billion out of the general fund and no plan to replace it, that will set us back in terms of rebuilding infrastructure ..."
When asked a follow-up question, she said better material is being used on the roads.
Dixon was asked if she will continue the current process of fixing roads or will replace it.
"We will work to make sure that there actually is a plan for the roads. She stood on the debate stage four years ago and said she had a plan, but let's remember, there was no plan. The plan was to raise the gas tax by 45 cents a gallon, and you'd be paying $5 a gallon right now."
She went on to say when the road funding Whitmer wanted wasn't approved, she "threw a tantrum" and vetoed other bills.
Whitmer responded saying we will "continue to fix the damn roads."
NOVEMBER ELECTION PREPORATIONS
This debate gives voters another chance to see the two candidates go head to head on important issues that mean the most to them.
“The gubernatorial debate is a very important public service forum,” said Mike Murri, vice president and general manager of WXYZ & WMYD. “The gubernatorial candidates will present themselves and answer questions on where they stand on important issues. Michigan Scripps television stations in partnership with Oakland University look forward to broadcasting and streaming the debate in this very important election year to the entire State of Michigan.”
More than 400,000 Michigan voters have already turned in their absentee ballots ahead of the election with hot-button issues like abortion rights, inflation, the economy, and education drawing them to the polls.
Wondering what your ballot will look like when you head to the polls in a few weeks? VIEW YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT HERE.
Related:
Michigan 2022 Midterm Elections: A guide for voters with races, ballot proposals & more
Proposal 1 in Michigan: Term limits & financial disclosures would change
Proposal 2 in Michigan: What voter rights would change if it passed?
