GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In a heated, often contentious race to be Michigan’s next Republican nominee for governor, candidate Tudor Dixon held her own against charges of being “bought and paid for” as an establishment candidate. She will take on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November.

On Tuesday night, Dixon thanked family and supporters.

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In her victory speech, she targeted Whitmer by saying, “Frankly Michigan, we deserve better. Now we have the opportunity to truly hold Gretchen Whitmer accountable for the pain she has inflicted on each and every one of us during the past four years.”

Dixon also thanked her competitors Ryan Kelley, Ralph Rebandt, Kevin Rinke, and Garrett Soldano for a “spirited” race.

“It isn’t about me and isn’t about Whitmer,” Dixon said Tuesday night. “It’s about us.”

Kevin Rinke, who lagged only slightly behind Dixon several weeks ago, congratulated her on Twitter late Tuesday night.

 

Garrett Soldano, who surged to second place in a Friday morning Michigan News Source and Trafalgar Group poll, has always bragged about grassroots supporters who backed him from the beginning of the race and when he started “Stand Up Michigan” under Gov. Whitmer’s COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Ryan Kelley appeared less supportive on Wednesday morning.

Ralph Rebandt, who came in last in the five-way race, had not made any comments regarding Dixon’s win as of press time.

In the past week, a front group for the Democratic Governors Association spent $2 million in ads attacking Dixon. Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on Tuesday night.

 

When Whitmer’s statement was played for Dixon on her interview on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Dixon responded, “Does [Whitmer] really think there’s any way to drag Michigan down farther than she has? Does she really think there’s a way for us to be in a worse condition? Right now we’re at the bottom,” Dixon said.

Dixon and Whitmer will battle for the state’s top spot on November 8.