Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been projected a victory over Republican challenger Tudor Dixon in the Michigan gubernatorial race.
Fox News first projected that Whitmer would prevail over Trump-endorsed Dixon late Tuesday night.
MICHIGAN: Fox News can project that Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer will prevail over Republican former TV host Tudor Dixon.
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) November 9, 2022
The race had garnered national attention due to Whitmer’s near-celebrity status in the Democratic Party following her heavy-handed approach during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the days and weeks leading up to the election, most polls showed Whitmer leading Dixon.
Throughout the campaign, the two clashed over Whitmer’s handling of Covid-related lockdowns of businesses and schools.
Whitmer was sharply criticized by Republicans nationally over her push to strip citizens of their basic freedoms.
The incumbent governor also pushed abortion and the teaching of gender and sexual orientation topics in the classroom.
Dixon sought to paint Whitmer as a candidate with national ambitions, rather than one dedicated to serving Michigan.
Many believe in hoping for a potential spot on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket after missing out in 2020.
Whitmer will be term-limited after the upcoming term and has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate.
However, she has avoided saying whether she would run for president in the future.
