ROCHESTER, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican candidate Tudor Dixon exchanged barbs and a few compliments at the second gubernatorial debate in Rochester ahead of the November 8 election.

Whitmer once again opened the debate with her introductory remarks that bore nearly identical claims as the first debate. She highlighted her bipartisan upbringing despite having differing opinions.  Furthermore, she highlighted her administration’s accomplishments while claiming that her opponent would use “divisive rhetoric and a focus on the past” – a claim she also used in the first debate. 

MORE NEWS: EV Mandates Stall GM Productivity, Automaker Lays Off 1,000 Workers

“The big question is this: Are we going to go backwards? Or are we going to drive together towards the future?” Whitmer said, “I say let’s step on the accelerator.” 

Dixon followed her comments by introducing herself as a mom who knows what it’s like having her children locked out of school and working to get them back on track. She said she knows what it is like to want safe communities for children to play.  Dixon highlighted several results of Whitmer’s administration: the loss of 82,000 jobs, lower reading scores, decreased graduation rates, higher crime rates, and roads that are still not fixed.  

Elle Meyers of WSYM-TV (Fox 47) news opened the debate with a question regarding how each candidate would legislate if portions of Proposal 3 would pass. 

“Proposal 3 is absolutely necessary if we are to keep the rights we had for 49 years under Roe v. Wade,” Whitmer said, “When the Supreme Court decided to upend it and overrule Roe, Michigan is poised to revert back to a 1931 law that makes abortion a felony – no exceptions for rape or incest – throwing doctors and nurses in jail.” 

Whitmer maintained that Proposal 3 would preserve the rights women in Michigan have held for 49 years. 

Dixon retorted with strong disagreement to the governor’s claims.  

“It’s unfortunate that we’re not being honest with what Proposal 3 is,” Dixon said. “The governor has just been dishonest with you in her very first answer.” 

MORE NEWS: Mike Rogers Could Be Trump’s FBI Chief

“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,” Dixon said. 

She proceeded to list the governor’s voting record against a ban on partial birth abortion, and Proposal 3 allows for a partial birth abortion up to the moment of birth.  

Whitmer never denied her voting record but later responded, “I am fighting to make sure that women in this state still have the ability to make our own decisions about our bodies and our futures.  Let’s be very clear: the right to have reproductive choice is important for women of all ages and all walks of life.”  

“We know that women who have a partial abortion – partial msscarriage – need an abortion this will impact us all,” she said. 

Education was perhaps the second most discussed topic especially after the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed low test scores for Michigan’s fourth and eighth graders. 

“As you noted, we are not a top 10 state. In fact, we’re not even close; we’re actually a bottom 10 state” Dixon said. “[Education] has been a pillar of my campaign, to bring education back to the state of Michigan.  Not only do we want to make sure parents are involved in education but we want to make sure our kids are back on track after the pandemic.”  

Dixon criticized a lack of individualized tutoring for students who were in online school for years.  

“Mrs. Dixon says ‘I kept’ students out longer than any other state; that’s just not true,” Whitmer said, “I worked closely with my Republican and Democratic governors and kids were out for three months,” Whitmer said.  

Like abortions, education, and school safety, the candidates strongly disagreed about how the roads were improved, or their lack thereof, according to Dixon.  

Whitmer maintained that the roads were being improved from their predecessors using the right mix and materials.  

The governor closed the debate by considering Dixon as one who stokes violence, peddles conspiracy theories, and attacks working women.  

Dixon concluded by repeating that she would like to bring back a family-friendly Michigan, cut down on crime, get more money to those in need, and fix the roads.