Tudor Dixon declared winner of Michigan's GOP governor's race, will face Gretchen Whitmer in November

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is running unopposed in the 2022 Primary but it's who she will be facing off in November that was a major race to watch and, a little after 9 p.m., the answer was in as Tudor Dixon was declared the winner.

The Republican race for governor was the race to watch in Michigan and returns showed Dixon was out to an enormous lead. 

Around 9:40 p.m., the Associated Press called the race for Dixon as she held more than 40% of the vote with 19% of the votes counted. 

The businesswoman and conservative commentator will go head-on in a tough general election race against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has millions in her campaign fund. 

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

The mother of four made education a top issue of her campaign, saying she wants to keep drag queens and talk of sex and gender out of elementary schools. She opposes abortion, except to save the life of the mother.

Dixon, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump last week, defeated four male candidates in a race between little-known political newcomers. She also had backing from the prominent Michigan Republican family of Betsy DeVos, who was education secretary in Trump's Cabinet but was critical of him and resigned after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, as well as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and several anti-abortion groups.

Taking the stage at a victory party, Dixon pledged to fight for families who struggled through COVID-19 lockdowns that Whitmer imposed and who can't afford to put gas in their vehicles and pay bills. She called the first-term governor "the queen of lockdowns" and recounted how her own grandmother died in a nursing home, alone, during the pandemic.

"Frankly Michigan, we deserve better," Dixon said. "Now we have the opportunity to truly hold Gretchen Whitmer accountable for the pain she has inflicted on each and every one of us during the past four years." 
 

Dixon is a former steel industry executive who also hosted a conservative program on a streaming channel and once acted in low-budget zombie movies in what her campaign described as an "admittedly lame" hobby.

Democrats criticize her far-right positions on issues, which also could be a tough sell for independent voters who decide elections in Michigan. Dixon opposes abortion, except to save the mother's life, and says Michigan should eliminate the requirement for permits to carry concealed weapons.

In a statement Tuesday, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said Dixon "has a dangerous agenda that would devastate Michigan working families." 

In the spring, the GOP field was broad with at least 10 candidates were hopeful to be on the ballot with the leading candidate being former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. However, Craig and four others were blocked from the ballot after signatures were found to be fraudulent.

Watch: Michigan GOP governor candidates in the final debate before the Aug. 2 primary

Polls in Michigan close at 8 p.m. local time and, with four counties in the central timezone, it may not be until after 9 p.m. ET that results for the GOP governor's nomination are tabulated.

When the results come in, you can see how Michigan voted in the embed below:

Of course, there are more major races to watch on Primary Day in Michigan.

Michigan Primary Election results: House District 10

Michigan Primary Election results: House District 11 - Andy Levin vs. Haley Stevens

Michigan Primary Election results: House District 12

Michigan Primary Election results: House District 13

Michigan Primary Election results: All 13 Congressional races

Michigan Primary Election results: State Senate races

Michigan Primary Election results: State House races 1-60

Michigan Primary Election results: State House races 61-110

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.