Tudor Dixon, the Republican candidate for governor of Michigan, mocked a kidnapping plot against her Democratic opponent, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, at two campaign events on Friday.
The 2020 plot against Ms Whitmer rocked Michigan and was seen as a sign of the growing threat of political violence and right-wing domestic terrorism. Two men have been found guilty of planning to kidnap the governor from her vacation home and incite a nationwide rebellion. Prosecutors said the men carried out “reconnaissance missions” at the house, amassed high-powered firearms and discussed blowing up a bridge to prevent police from responding. Two other men were acquitted.
“The sad thing is Gretchen will tie your hands, put a gun to your head and ask if you’re ready to talk. For someone so scared of being kidnapped, Gretchen Whitmer is good at taking things hostage and holding them for ransom,” she said at an event in Troy, Michigan, sparking uproars. laughter and applause in the room.
The remarks were quickly condemned by Ms Whitmer’s campaign and by Democratic groups. At another campaign event later in the day in Muskegon, Ms Dixon doubled down. She joked that Ms Whitmer seemed unsure of what was going on as she held hands with President Biden during his recent visit to a car show in the state.
“The look on her face was like, ‘Oh my God, this is happening. I’d rather be kidnapped by the FBI,’ she said at the rally, as some in the audience laughed , clapped and whistled. Then, looking at reporters in the back, she claimed her previous comments about holding businesses for ransom were no joke.
‘If you were afraid of this, you should know what it’s like to have your life ripped away from you,’ Ms Dixon said.
Ms. Dixon, who trails Ms. Whitmer in the polls ahead of the Nov. 8 election, campaigned on Friday with Donald Trump Jr. and Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s former White House adviser. Former President Donald J. Trump is expected to appear with Ms. Dixon at an Oct. 1 rally in Macomb County.
In a statement, Sam Newton, deputy director of communications for the Democratic Governors Association, called Ms Dixon’s comments “dangerous, an insult to law enforcement who protect us and completely disqualifying for the role of Governor of Michigan”. .
Maeve Coyle, spokeswoman for Ms Whitmer’s campaign, said Ms Dixon’s remarks made her “absolutely unfit to lead in Michigan” and were “no laughing matter”.
“Governor Whitmer has faced serious threats to her safety and her life, and she is grateful to law enforcement and prosecutors for their tireless work,” Ms. Coyle said. in a report.