MI Gov. Candidate Says Abortion Ban Should Cover Rape, Incest

MICHIGAN — A Republican candidate seeking to challenge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November thinks the state's abortion ban should include victims of rape and incest.

Leading gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon told interviewer Charlie LeDuff on his podcast, "No BS Newshour," that abortion should only be used to save the "life of a mother."

LeDuff then pressed Dixon with a hypothetical question involving the case of a 14-year-old girl who becomes pregnant after she was abused by her uncle.

"Yeah, perfect example," Dixon interjected. "I know people who are the product ― a life is a life for me. That’s how it is."

During the interview, Dixon said the "health" of the mother and "life" of the mother are different. Patch reached out to Dixon's campaign for comment to further elaborate her comments.

Michigan Democratic spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite blasted Dixon for her comments and said "her callous remarks are the perfect example of how dangerous Tudor Dixon would be for Michigan families."

Dixon, a conservative commentator from Norton Shores, worked in the steel industry and founded a media company that "provided pro-America, pro-Constitution morning news programs to grade school students," according to her campaign website.

Dixon has received key endorsements, including the support of Right to Life of Michigan, the DeVos family, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Police Officers Association of Michigan, according to the Detroit News.

A Detroit News/WDIV poll showed Dixon had a slight lead in the Republican gubernatorial race heading into Wednesday night's debate.

Michigan has a 1931 law on the books that would ban abortion in nearly all circumstances, including rape and incest. A state judge has temporality blocked the law from into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Several groups, including state Republicans have challenged the ruling asking a state judge to reconsider the injunction and allow state lawmakers to revisit the law.

Whitmer also filed a lawsuit in the state's supreme court, asking justices to recognize abortion rights in the state's constitution under bodily integrity provisions. The court agreed to take up the lawsuit and can issue a ruling at any moment.