Trump’s Endorsement May Expand Dixon’s Narrow Lead in Michigan GOP Primary

Front-runner Tudor Dixon could get the boost she needs to win the Republican nomination for governor of Michigan as she finally received the coveted endorsement of Donald Trump on July 29—just three days before the Aug. 2 primary.

At an April rally in Macomb County, Trump raised political eyebrows when, of the then 10 GOP gubernatorial hopefuls, he called out Dixon by name and spoke favorably of her but stopped short of an endorsement. Trump was then silent about Dixon until now, after months of heightened suspense among the five candidates, who all competed fiercely for Trump’s endorsement.

To underscore the importance of Trump’s endorsement, a recent Detroit News-WDIV TV poll taken two weeks before Aug. 2 found 38 percent of likely GOP primary voters remaining undecided.

This is significant because according to the poll, 63 percent of undecided voters said Trump’s endorsement is either very important or somewhat important in them making up their minds.

Soldano

One of Dixon’s four rivals, Garrett Soldano—currently in fourth place—had recently publicly advised Trump to stay out of the very close Michigan governor’s race to avoid angering the party’s grassroots voters who may be supporting candidates other than Trump’s pick.

Following Trump’s endorsement of Dixon, Soldano said in a statement, “From what I know about President Trump, he likes winners. I look forward to his support on Aug. 3.”

He told The Epoch Times that his campaign will succeed because of strong grassroots support.

“I’ve personally knocked on well over 10,000 doors,” he said.

A Real Clear Politics analysis of recent polls shows Dixon with a lead ranging from four to eight points over Kevin Rinke who is currently in second place in the field of five.

Dixon’s average lead is about five points, very close to the polls’ margin of error.

Candidates Ryan Kelley