14 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

B

e sure to leave time on your 
calendar to vote on Tuesday, 
Nov. 8, in the 2022 midterm 
election. Michigan residents have a lot 
at stake: proposals on voting rights and 
reproductive freedom; governor, attorney 
general and secretary of state races, state 
and federal legislative races; and Michigan 
Supreme Court justice races.
The Jewish News sent a brief 
questionnaire to candidates for governor, 
attorney general, secretary of state and 
three high-profile congressional races and 
asked for responses of under 200 words 
per question. Below are the responses we 
received, unedited.

Governor’s Race 
Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen 
Whitmer is facing off against Republican 
businesswoman Tudor Dixon. Here are 
Whitmer’s responses. Dixon’s campaign did 
not respond to the JN’s questions.

Gretchen 
Whitmer 

DESCRIBE YOUR TOP 
THREE PRIORITIES IF 
ELECTED?
I am focused on the 
fundamentals: boosting 
our economy, investing 
in education, and cutting 
costs for families.
I supported small 
businesses with more than 
$400 million in relief and signed tax cuts 
for small business owners. I worked across 
the aisle to announce 30,000 new auto 
jobs, and we landed the largest investment 
in General Motors history, a $7 billion 
investment to create good-paying jobs. I 

plan to build on this progress to ensure 
the future of manufacturing is made in 
Michigan, by Michigan workers.
We have made the largest investment 
in K-12 education in Michigan history 
without raising taxes — tripling the 
number of reading coaches, increasing 
access to mental health care, and 
expanding before- and after-school 
programs. And I’ve put over 170,000 
Michiganders on a tuition-free path to 
job training and higher education. I will 
double down to increase the number of 
working-age adults with a skills certificate 
or college degree to 60% by 2030.
And I am fighting to repeal the 
retirement tax and cut taxes for working 
families. Tough times call for tough people, 
and I will work with anyone to solve 
problems and move Michigan forward.

WHAT ARE MICHIGAN’S GREATEST 
CHALLENGES AND BEST 
OPPORTUNITIES?
Michiganders have shown remarkable 
grit and resilience through everything 
the past few years have thrown our way. 
We have brought people together to 
get things done that make a difference 
on the kitchen table issues, improving 
public education, creating good-paying 
jobs, keeping communities safe, cutting 
costs for families, and strengthening our 
infrastructure.
Every single bill I have signed — over 
900 in the last four years — has been 
bipartisan, and I am willing to sit down 
with anyone to help people.
We made Michigan’s largest ever 
investment in K-12 education — without 

raising taxes. We helped enroll 35,000 
children in high-quality pre-K and brought 
affordable child care to 150,000 kids.
We are fixing the damn roads and have 
repaired over 13,000 lane miles and over 
900 bridges, while supporting over 80,000 
good-paying jobs.
The best part about Michigan is the 
people who call it home. Together, 
we will continue to overcome the 
challenges thrown our way and build 
a stronger Michigan.

HOW WILL YOU WORK TO CLOSE 
THE POLITICAL DIVIDE THAT SEEMS 
TO DOMINATE MUCH OF THE 
POLITICAL AGENDA?
Republican, Democrat, or Independent 
— I am fighting to make life better for 
everyone who calls our state home. We 
have earned the support of Republicans 
and Independents from across the state, 
including business leaders, former 
lawmakers, and top staff serving under 
Governors Engler and Snyder. I have made 
civility a priority in my administration 
and will work with anyone who is serious 
about solving problems to get things done.
I still believe there is more that unites 
us than divides us. When we focus on 
the fundamentals, it is easier to see that 
we all want the same things. I am proud 
of our work to bring people together to 
find common ground and I will continue 
to work with anyone to deliver common 
sense solutions that put Michigan first.

HOW MIGHT YOU WORK TO 
ENHANCE THE LONG AND RICH 
HISTORY BETWEEN THE STATE 

2022 Voters’ Guide

Candidates answer JN’s questionnaire.

COMPILED BY JACKIE HEADAPOHL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

