Michigan Governor nominee Tudor Dixon and Lt. Gov. nominee Shane Hernandez
Michigan gubernatorial candidate, Republican Tudor Dixon, shared the story of a man who approached her complaining of an inappropriate book he found in a school library during a debate last week against failed Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
In a his open monologue on The Late Show, perennially unfunny Stephen Colbert mocked Dixon claiming her encounter with the voter never happened. Days later, the man Dixon spoke about, Khalil Othman, went on social media to tell the late-night host he is very real indeed and he is leaving the Democrat party behind.
During the debate Dixon shared,”I guess we have received the answer now, that she (Whitmer) is not going to stand with parents on this issue who are crying out across the state. In fact, I had a gentleman come up to me just a few nights ago and he said: ‘I found content in my school library describing how to have sex to my son. I went to the Democrats and I said, I cannot believe that this is in there and they said you are not longer a part of our Party…. He said ‘just a few weeks ago, not only was I a Democrat, but I was running for office as a Democrat.’ He said because Democrats won’t stand up for our children and go back to the basics, ‘I’m leaving the Democratic Party.’ “
At 34:28 in the video, Dixon shares the story.
Colbert derided Dixon as an un-popular anti-choice MAGA Republican in Michigan and saying of the powerful story, “Dixon is not the only one worried about this issue. So is this guy she totally made up.”
After sharing the debate clip, Colbert sarcastically said, “OK, fine. That happened,” using air quotes.
He continued, “But even if it did, if someone found a book that didn’t like the school library, why would they go to the Democrats?”
In a theatrical voice he says, “That’s like saying: ‘Excuse me is this Chuck Schumer’s office? I didn’t like the finale of ‘House of the Dragon.’ Also, this natural peanut butter is way too oily when it’s in the cupboard but it gets too hard when it’s in the fridge. I’m voting Republican! Good day, sir.’ “
MSN shares Othman’s comments on Colbert’s accusation and insulting take:
But the man, Khalil Othman, told the Free Press he is an actual person and did attend the Dixon campaign rally she referred to.
“To claim that I’m not here, I don’t exist, I’m not human, that’s absolute ignorance,” Othman, 41, a father of five and former Dearborn city council and State House candidate, told the Free Press.
“If this person did his due diligence and start researching or has his team do a little bit of research of who’s this person who attended Dixon’s rally, they will be able to find my name right away easy on social media. Just Google it.”
Othman has participated in public protests over explicit books in the libraries of Dearborn public schools.
He shared his departure from Democrats on social media saying,
Ever since immigrating to this great country almost 20 years ago, I’ve been a loyal Democrat. Never once did I ever vote Republican. However, the situation with the sexually explicit material in the schools was for me a bridge too far. When it comes to my kids and my family, I will not budge. Family before party! I decided to go see Tudor Dixon in Flat Rock, Ml and make my own judgement. During her speech, she spoke at length about parental rights and her opposition to sexually explicit materials in school. Afterwards, I spoke to Tudor Dixon and dozens of her supporters. They treated me with love and respect. They told me they were inspired by the parents of Dearborn for standing up for what is right. I announce today that I hereby divorce the Democrat party and I STAND WITH PARENTS!!
