Michigan Republican candidates for governor Ryan Kelley, from left, Garrett Soldano, Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke appear at a debate in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 6, 2022.
Michael Buck / AP
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Michael Buck / AP
Michigan Republican candidates for governor Ryan Kelley, from left, Garrett Soldano, Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke appear at a debate in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 6, 2022.
Michael Buck / AP
LANSING, Mich. – For months, a group of Michigan Republicans have toyed with for a chance to face Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer in the November general election, but it’s been a rough time.
There used to be 10 GOP candidates. Everyone is new to the election. That lack of political experience may have added to a significant shake-up in the sector in late May. Elections officials in the state say that five candidates, including several big spenders, failed to collect enough valid signatures to vote.
Reports show that a group of paid petitioners working on campaigns have forged thousands of signatures on the candidate’s nomination papers.
Candidates
Businesswoman Tudor Dixon, who received a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump on Friday night, has seen her poll numbers rise in the wake of the petition scandal. She has also received endorsements from prominent names in Republican politics, such as the family of former US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and the Michigan Right to Live group.
“You know, we always plan to go across the state and meet people and get support, get supporters and get the resources to go out there and get our message across. broadcast louder,” Dixon said after a debate last week. “And that’s what we’ve been doing. And I think that’s what’s behind it – hard work.”
Entrepreneur Kevin Rinke called Dixon Governor Whitmer in sheep’s clothing.
“She would say or do anything for the position,” he said of Dixon. “I’m a guy running to do the right thing for the people of Michigan. This is public service to me. I’m not looking for a career.”
Largely self-funded, Rinke has marketed himself as an outsider who will cut personal income tax rates, raise awareness and focus on electoral integrity.
“We can move Michigan forward by putting the people first, Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Recently, Rinke and Dixon both have relatively strong polls. However, leading up to Tuesday, the poll showed that a portion of Republican voters remained undecided.
In January, chiropractor Garrett Soldano became the first Republican to apply in the race for governor. He is one of the remaining five. He says he believes in the strategy that has gotten him this far: “We just continue to let our base troops do what they do best.
Pam Dawson, a voter in Michgain, watched the Republican debate last week and said all the candidates are strong in their own right. “And I think they’re trying to be a little more cautious. They want to make sure they get the one that’s going to beat Whitmer,” she said.
For Dawson, it was Soldano or real estate agent Ryan Kelley. The latter saw a spike in his identity after the FBI arrested him in June on misdemeanor charges related to the January 6 uprising on the US Capitol. . Kelley has pleaded not guilty.
Issues and Odds
The candidates – Soldano, Dixon, Rinke, Kelley and Pastor Ralph Rebandt – all held similar views, such as wanting to lower taxes and opposing abortion. The candidates’ ability to attract independent voters will be key to winning the general election against Governor Whitmer, said Glengariff Group pollster Richard Czuba. He says two issues are likely to dominate:
“We have to keep an eye on how abortion affects the vote compared to how inflation affects the vote. And we still don’t know the answer to that.”
Czuba questioned how prepared the Republican candidates were to take on the role of veteran politician.
“August 3, we are likely to see a Republican candidate for governor with no known ID, no strong organization and probably no money left in the bank after the primary election. walk,” said Czuba.
The Democratic Governors Association began running offensive ads during the GOP primaries, and Michigan Republican spokesman Gustavo Portela accused Democrats of meddling.
“They’re afraid of the message and they’re afraid of the fact that people will have a choice this fall.”
Whoever wins the Republican nomination may have to get used to the pressure. Recent campaign finance reports show Governor Whitmer has millions of dollars to spend.
Colin Jackson is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network.
