Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer has won the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s governor office in Tuesday’s primary election. She will now face Republican opponent Tudor Dixon in the upcoming general elections in November.

Whitmer, who was in every opposing Republican’s crosshairs, was unchallenged in the Michigan primaries. Whitmer previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and Michigan State Senate from 2006 to 2015. In 2011, she became the Democratic minority leader in the state Senate, marking the first time a woman led a caucus in the chamber.

Also Read: US primaries: What are the key contests in Michigan set by Donald Trump’s endorsements

The Republican primary, however, was highly competitive. Dixon defeated four male candidates in a race between little-known Republicans. She was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and the prominent Michigan Republican family of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, as well as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and several anti-abortion organizations.

Michigan governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 policies through the last two years were put on the ballot by Republican opposers. Ryan Kelley organized rallies against the governor, including one where armed paramilitary groups entered the Michigan Statehouse.

All candidates participating in the Republican primary had embraced former US President Donald Trump’s “rigged election” claim, news agency AP reported. However, only Dixon received an 11th-hour endorsement from Trump.

Also Read: US primaries 2022: Tudor Dixon wins Republican nomination for Michigan governor

Another important race in Michigan primaries is the one between Peter Meijer and John Gibbs. Meijer, a Republican, voted to impeach former President Trump after the US Capitol riots last year. He is now up against Gibbs, a local businessman, who received an endorsement from Trump.

Five states across the United States are holding the primary elections on August 2, 2022. These include swing states like Arizona and Missouri. Both Republican and Democratic caucuses have pushed hard to install allied lawmakers in Congress.