Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defeats Trump pick Tudor Dixon, NBC News projects

Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won a 2nd word aft defeating Republican challenger Tudor Dixon, who was endorsed by erstwhile President Donald Trump, NBC News projected.

Whitmer led by astir 6 percent points with much than 70% of the ballot in, according to NBC.

The predetermination marked the archetypal clip that women person been astatine the apical of the summons for some large parties successful Michigan. The incumbent was consistently up successful the polls, though her pb shrank arsenic Election Day approached.

As the system became apical of caput for voters, Whitmer formed herself arsenic a bipartisan person and deal-maker. She often touted passing a balanced fund each twelvemonth of her word and her committedness to rebuilding Michigan's crumbling roads.

Democrats hoped that the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization determination successful June overturning the law close to an termination and the Jan. 6 Committee hearings would galvanize voters to caput to the polls. Dixon opposes termination rights, adjacent successful cases of rape, incest and wherever the wellness of the parent is astatine risk. Whitmer painted Dixon arsenic an utmost MAGA Republican.

Whitmer, who astatine 1 constituent was considered arsenic a moving mate for President Joe Biden, became a lightning rod for conservatives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vitriol against the politician led to an yet foiled program to kidnap her successful precocious 2020; 14 men were arrested successful transportation with the panic plot.

Dixon was small known going into Election Day. She worked successful income for her family's alloy institution earlier becoming a blimpish tv pundit. She roseate to prominence aft respective Republican front-runners were disqualified for utilizing fraudulent signatures connected petitions to registry to get connected the ballot. Trump endorsed Dixon 4 days earlier the state's primary.