Tudor Dixon emerged the winner Tuesday in one of the messiest GOP primaries this election cycle, clinching the Republican nomination for governor in Michigan.

Dixon, a conservative commentator and business owner, will face Democrat Gretchen Whitmer this fall in one of this years most competitive races for governor.

Neither Dixon, 45, nor her four GOP competitors have ever held a legislative or statewide office, making the contest a toss-up until the end. Donald Trump s last-minute endorsement helped thrust her over the finish line.

Michigans Republican ruling-class lined up behind Tudor Dixon because they think she will do the least harm to the Republican ticket in November, GOP consultant Dennis Lennox told HuffPost. I dont think anyone thinks she can win Michiganders havent denied a sitting governor a second term since 1962 but she will run a disciplined campaign that keeps legislative candidates competitive under a brand new post-redistricting map.

Dixon campaigned as a culture warrior, promising to enact laws that would prevent what she deems indoctrination in schools. After working for her familys steel company, Dixon founded a subscription news service geared toward students with content promoting American exceptionalism .

She is also a hard-line abortion opponent, supporting exceptions only for the life of the mother. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, Whitmer has tried to block Michigans abortion trigger law that would completely outlaw the procedure, making the role of governor a critical figure in preserving abortion rights.