LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Democrats are dropping millions of dollars in an effort to keep Republican front runner Tudor Dixon from getting the GOP nomination to face Democrat incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November.
The TV buys from a group called “Put Michigan First” are focused on Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City media markets and are worth more than $2 million. The new ads only run from Wednesday July 27th through Primary Day on August 2nd.
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The first ad calls Dixon ‘dangerous’ for Michigan and accuses her of wanting to slash the annual budget for the State Police by up to $500 million dollars annually. The ad says Dixon would leave less police on the street and Michigan less safe.
The Dixon campaign responded to Michigan News Source by saying, “Tudor Dixon is endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and is committed to respecting and supporting law enforcement across the state and Governor Whitmer says she supported the spirit of Defund the Police.”
The massive media buy is an effort to push Dixon out of the lead she has held in several recent polls over the past few weeks. It gives the impression that Democrats are more worried about a match-up with Dixon than the other four candidates in the race.
By spending so much money this late in an election indicates Democrats do not want a woman on top of the GOP ticket to face Whitmer, who would seem have more tools to battle against a man in the general election.
Whitmer is fighting for re-election in a year when President Joe Biden’s approval numbers have fallen to historic lows and Republicans are hoping for a red wave in critical swing states like Michigan.
“The Democrats have tried to eliminate the most difficult candidates in other states for sitting Governors, [and] it’s clear they see Dixon as the most competitive candidate to face Whitmer,” said Steve Mitchell, who has conducted several recent polls in the race. Mitchell says the real question now is will Republicans allow Democrats to meddle in the primary and pick their candidate. “Although the Republicans may differ on who the strongest candidate is to challenge Governor Whitmer, the Democrats clearly do not,” he added.
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The Dixon campaign echoed that sentiment saying, “They know Tudor is the best candidate to take out Governor Whitmer in November and that’s why they have launched a massive last minute smear job.”
Michigan is an open primary state, meaning anyone can vote in the primary but only for one party or another. Whitmer is running unopposed which leaves Democrats open to cast votes to disrupt the Republican primary if that’s what they choose to do.
Early voting has already begun in Michigan and polls will open at 7am for in person day of voting on August 2nd.
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