Tudor Dixon joined state Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, (left) at Johnny T’s Bistro for a fundraiser. Jack Cote | Collegian
Tudor Dixon, last year’s Republican nominee for Michigan governor, said she has not ruled out a future run for statewide office after appearing at a Hillsdale Presidents’ Day fundraiser for state Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale.
“While I won’t rule out a future run, right now I’m working to help all of our Reps. get elected,” Dixon told the Collegian. “I’m focusing on being loud and getting the message out there.”
Dixon said she intends to focus on being a voice for Michiganders and speaking out against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies. Whitmer defeated Dixon by 54% to 43% in November.
“We have to fight with the same tools and make more contact with voters,” Dixon said.
Fink said he was pleased to have Dixon meet his supporters at the fundraiser, which convened at Johnny T’s Bistro on Feb. 20.
“Even though it was a tough election cycle, Tudor has remained engaged,” Fink said.
In addition to the governor’s office, Democrats captured narrow majorities in both houses of the state legislature in November elections.
Fink said unified Democratic control in Lansing has allowed state Democrats to push their agenda without debate.
“It’s rare for legislation to reach the House floor to pass without a rule suspending debate,” Fink said. “Under normal rules, members are entitled to be recognized to debate legislation. Yet, under this system, members can’t even voice their concerns.”
According to Fink, the Michigan Republican Party now faces an uphill battle as the minority, with Republican-backed bills rarely making it to the House floor.
The Republicans performed poorly when it came to uniting and clearly communicating their agenda to the average voter, Fink said. This led to a failure in appealing to voters across the state, he said, regardless of candidate selection.
The party is still divided across the state and in Hillsdale County. Two factions of the Hillsdale County Republican Party remain locked in a legal battle for recognition as the official party. According to the Hillsdale Daily News, the HCRP’s original “America First” faction gained the state party’s recognition to attend the Feb. 17 state convention, where several committees passed a resolution censoring 13 members of the opposing group.
During a contentious state convention, Republican delegates elected Kristina Karamo as Michigan GOP chair after three ballots. Karamo lost her bid for secretary of state to Democrat Jocelyn Benson in the November election by 56% to 42%.
“We need to think about establishing a vision that promotes strong families, freedom of action, and the principles of the Declaration of Independence,” Fink said. “A strong party can support every American by speaking to the rights of everyone.”
