ST. IGNACE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Roughly 26,000 people walked the Mackinac Bridge for the annual Labor Day walk on Monday.
One of them was not Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
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“It was an honor to represent the state of Michigan at the 65th annual Mackinac Bridge walk,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who walked in Whitmer’s stead.

Tudor Dixon, the GOP nominee for governor, walked across the bridge with her husband and four daughters.

Dixon mentioned on Twitter that Whitmer missed her last time to walk across the bridge as governor.
Honored to join this year’s Bridge Walk. It’s a shame Gretchen bailed on her last one as Governor! https://t.co/972uVy1ljO
— Tudor Dixon (@TudorDixon) September 6, 2022
Michiganders appeared to notice the governor’s absence.
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While Whitmer attends rap concerts and meets with teachers unions, Michigan’s next Governor @TudorDixon spends Labor Day Weekend doing the traditional walk across Mackinac Bridge. https://t.co/2lrEj9JPcR
— Anna Hoffman (@shoesonplease) September 5, 2022
Tudor showed up. Hopefully we can replace old Gretch
— Bad Fishy (@BFN3000) September 5, 2022
I recall back in Governor Granholm’s second term that there was a discussion over her deciding to do the Bridge Run on Labor Day and if that would break the streak in Governors doing the Bridge Walk.
— Brian Calley (@briancalley) September 5, 2022
Although Dixon and Whitmer did not meet on the Mackinac Bridge, they are scheduled to debate twice in October.
Dixon has been pushing for several debates in September; she’s accused Whitmer of avoiding debates until after early voting begins.
The general election is November 8.