Dixon, Whitmer Don't Agree Much, Other Than Being Michigan Moms

The final Michigan gubernatorial debate was full of heated moments between Democratic incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican nominee Tudor Dixon, with the candidates attacking one another's answers on issues like abortion, crime and what to do about LGBTQ books in schools.

Both candidates, however, did acknowledge one another's efforts and struggles with being a mom running for public office, with Dixon even praising Whitmer for always making sure she "fought for women."

The candidates were prompted to trade compliments toward the end of the hourlong debate after both had continuously given answers in which they accused the other of lying. Whitmer repeated that her debate rival was attempting to use divisive rhetoric while Dixon again came for the incumbent's failed campaign promises when running for Michigan governor in 2018, such as promising to fix state roads during her first term.

When asked in the "interest of civility" to say one thing positive about her opponent, Dixon said that she thought it was important how Whitmer encouraged her daughters while on the campaign trail.

"She has also made sure she's fought for women, and I love that about her," Dixon added. "I think that we can continue that tradition and make sure we take care of women and make sure women are protected in the state."

Whitmer said she thought something similar of Dixon, who is the mother of four daughters, adding a "hats off" to any woman who is willing to run for office and raise kids.

"I think moms' voices are important," Whitmer said. "We obviously have very different perspectives. All moms are not the same, but I appreciate how difficult that is and applaud anyone who is willing to put herself out there, at the same time, balance all of the different pressures that we working moms have."

Running out of time

Whitmer holds a small lead in the governor's race by 5.4 points, according to FiveThirtyEight, meaning Tuesday's debate could have been the tipping point for either candidate.

Aaron Kall, director of the debate program at the University of Michigan, told Newsweek that "both candidates performed admirably and likely fought to another draw," but that the debate could impact base and financial support with the November 8 election date approaching quickly.

"There is no question it will be one of the most closely watched and potentially impactful races on election night early next month," Kall added.

Kall also said that Whitmer "had a stronger sense of urgency in tonight's debate," signs that the incumbent is aware of Dixon's growing momentum in Michigan since the last matchup between the candidates.

Who was telling the truth?

Both candidates continuously accused the other of lying during the debate, with Whitmer trying to reject hypothetical things her opponent might say regarding abortion access during her first response of the night.

The governor, in response to a question regarding a constitutional amendment on November's ballot that would guarantee the state's constitutional right to abortion, said that her Republican adversary will try to say "all sorts of wild-eyed things that are not true" about the proposal, such as claiming that it would not ensure regulations for abortion such as parental consent for minors.

Dixon immediately snapped back that it was the governor who was lying about the constitutional amendment, saying the proposal would allow abortion without parental consent and allows the procedure up until the moment of birth.

Dixon also pushed Whitmer's policies regarding schools, claiming that the governor is to blame for Michigan students not catching up to national standards since schools were shut down at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitmer said that Michigan schools were only closed for three months due to the pandemic, and that her decision was made because, "as a mom, all I was thinking about was saving the lives of our kids."

Dixon on Tuesday also continued to push some of her campaign claims that have caused controversary in the past few months, such as parents being worried about pornography in school books that teach children about sex and gender issues. Dixon also blamed Whitmer and Democratic policies for rising crime rates in Michigan, saying that drugs like fentanyl were "pouring across [the] border every day."

Kall told Newsweek that some of Dixon's "accusations seemed a little overblown," including "describing the amount of deaths at risk from fentanyl use."

Newsweek reached out to the campaigns of Whitmer and Dixon for comment.