Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and gubernatorial primary winner Tudor Dixonhave agreed to two televised debates to be held in October.
WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids will host the first debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 13. The second debate will be hosted in Detroit by WXYZ, WXMI and WSYM at 7 p.m. Oct. 25. The debates will be carried by different television stations across the state.
“Gov. Whitmer looks forward to continuing Michigan’s gubernatorial general election tradition and ensuring voters across the state have the opportunity to see the clear contrast between candidates,” Maeve Coyle, Whitmer For Governor communications director, said.
Dixon tweeted that she was looking forward to the debates, but wants to have one before absentee ballots start being cast.
“She wants to hide, but the people deserve answers,” her tweet stated.
I look forward to debating Gretchen Whitmer and making her answer for the many ways Michiganders are worse off than they were 4 years ago. Debates must start BEFORE voting begins, not after as Whitmer is demanding. She wants to hide, but the people deserve answers!
— Tudor Dixon (@TudorDixon) August 24, 2022
The Dixon campaign said WOOD TV8 originally proposed the date of Sept. 20 and offered alternate dates on Sept. 22, 27, 29.
Coyle said the decision for the debate choice was made on “past precedent for Michigan gubernatorial elections.” She said Whitmer participated in two statewide televised debates against former Attorney General Bill Schuette in 2018.
Former Gov. Rick Snyderand Mark Schauer only had one debate in 2014, only after much goading and Snyder only had one televised debate with former Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in 2010.
Applications to receive absentee ballots could be submitted starting Wednesday, but they won’t be ready until Sept. 23, which is 45 days prior to the Nov. 8 Election Day.
If a debate were to be set prior to absentee ballots being sent it would have to be set now.
Dixon was interested in debates broadcast by WJBK Fox 2 Detroit and Sinclair Broadcast Group stations WWMT/WEYI/WPBN.
“The Dixon campaign is also extending an invitation to the Whitmer Campaign to negotiate mutually agreeable dates directly,” a press release stated.