Whitmer Builds Lead Over Dixon In MI Governor Race: Poll

MICHIGAN — Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is having a hard time swaying voters, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to lead big in the race just one month away from Election Day, according to a new Detroit News/WDIV poll.

The poll showed Whitmer grew her lead to 17 points with 49.5 percent of likely voters supporting her while just 32.2 percent backed Dixon, a political commentator and businesswoman from Norton Shores.

Abortion and women’s rights remained the driving factor in the race as 35.5 percent said it was motivating them to vote in the elections, according to the poll.

Whitmer filed a lawsuit earlier this year asking the Michigan Supreme Court to recognize abortion rights in the state constitution, while Dixon told interviewer Charlie LeDuff on his podcast, "No BS Newshour," that abortion should only be used to save the "life of a mother."

Inflation and the cost of living was the second motivating factor with 23.6 percent of Michiganders citing it and 10.8 percent citing treats to our democracy, according to the poll.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, both Democrats, also held sizable leads in their respective races as well, according to the poll.

The poll surveyed 600 likely voters in Michigan between Sept. 26-29 with a margin of error of +/-4.0 percent and a 95 percent level of confidence.

Read more results from the Detroit News/WDIV poll here