There were more than a few moments this cycle where we thought “The GOP’s Messiest Primary” would never come to an end, but the calendar has informed us that this coming Tuesday is indeed August 2nd. By this time next week, we’ll know which of the “pitiful” five will be pitting their wrong-for-Michigan agenda against Governor Whitmer’s Leadership in the fall.
For the last time in the 2022 cycle, (thank heavens), here’s what the entire field got up to this week:
The Eighth and Final Primary Debate: More Finger-Pointing and Name-Calling Than Preschool
The primary has been chaotic all cycle, but over the past few weeks, things have kicked into a new combative gear. The animosity brewing between candidates predictably boiled over once again on stage, largely in Tudor Dixon’s direction. After weathering more attacks centered on her quite cozy relationship with the DeVos family and several special interest groups, the “establishment-bought” (Soldano’s words) sellout decided that she finally had enough. Women voters “don’t want a bully in the governor’s office,” said the Republican who wants to bully child rape victims to carry their uncle’s baby.
Naturally, the battle continued off stage, with notably some new punches from Michigan Strong, Dixon’s PAC. Individual spots were released today warning voters not to “buy the Soldano snake oil” or get behind potty-mouthed and “simply unelectable” Rinke.
The Truth Hurts, Tudor
…But not as much as the damage she’d inflict on the law enforcement community if elected. This week, Dixon was the target of an ad pointing out the harsh realities of her crusade to slash billions from police budgets.
Dixon continues to tout a “piss-poor public policy proposal” that “those who watch the state’s budget closely said would be catastrophic for funding.” It is estimated to eliminate nearly $12 billion from the budget and $8 billion from the general fund, threatening the “primary funding source” providing over 60% of Michigan State Police budget and threatening thousands of law enforcement jobs.
Missing from all her camp’s defense this week was anything even remotely resembling an answer, with Detroit News pointing out that Dixon still “has not provided specifics” of how she plans to rip billions out of Michigan’s budget and fully fund law enforcement at the same time.
Fact-Check: True. Dixon is Indeed Being Bankrolled by the DeVos Family, Other Deep-Pocketed Special Interests
Sure, Kevin Rinke and Garrett Soldano may have been engaging in some informed speculation when they originally respectively blasted Dixon for accepting “millions” from the DeVos family and being a “bought and paid for” hack. But now that campaign finance results are in for the bulk of this year, both candidates have since been vindicated.
Rinke said during his appearance on Charlie LeDuff’s ‘No BS Newshour’ that the DeVos family was in the market for a “candidate that they can control,” and based on these numbers we’ve concluded they are in escrow.
As of July 22nd, PACs supporting Dixon spent “a combined $2.18 million” aiding Dixon’s campaign, half of which came entirely from the DeVoses. They gave a cool million towards a PAC that has been running airwave interference to prop up Dixon’s campaign. Since the last financial report, another PAC threw in $100,000, Michael Markey (remember him?) “reserved $103,000 worth of airtime,” and anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List today announced they would be parachuting in six figures.
Who has the heart to tell Dixon that special interests can’t actually vote?
Pots and Kettles…Both of Which Dixon Would Excuse for Wearing Blackface
Tudor Dixon loves to drag Kevin Rinke’s “repeated use of racial slurs,” arguing that his offensive history makes him “simply unelectable.” But now the “insensitive,” racist comments are coming from an even more familiar direction.
This week, Axios Detroit broke the news that while still working as a commentator for extreme conservative online program “Real America’s Voice,” Dixon was crafting her brand off the backs of minorities and other cultures:
“During her career as a commentator, she called Hijabs oppressive garments, suggested Iranian women who marry without the consent of their parents are being “murdered by their own family,” and excused a comedian’s use of Black face.
Must be tough to run for a state in which you openly despise several of the communities that call it home.
