William Lawrence

William Lawrence is a Lansing community organizer who won the Democratic primary on Aug. 4, 2026, defeating former Ambassador Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam. He is challenging first-term Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in a district rated a toss-up.

On the ballot against Tom Barrett (R)

Why it matters: Michigan Public reports the 7th District is expected to be one of the closest U.S. House races in the country, so either party's hopes of controlling Congress rest on winning it.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upCook Political Report, Oct 16 source

Latest poll Lawrence 49% 47% Barrett 4% undecided or other Global Strategy Group for House Majority PAC (D), Aug 11-13, 2026, 500 LV. source

Money raised (through Sep 30) Lawrence$3,665,521 Barrett$7,891,381 $1,033,485 cash on hand. source

In William's own words

**William Lawrence**, after his debate with Rep. Tom Barrett at WKAR's studios in East Lansing, Oct 6 source

**William Lawrence**, in a statement launching his 'Michigan First' constituent services plan, Oct 7 source

Where William stands

Health care: Supports Medicare for All to take the profit motive out of health insurance. source
Social Security: Supports lifting the payroll tax cap to guarantee Social Security benefits now and in the future. source
Taxes: Supports a minimum tax on billionaires' wealth to pay for basic services. source
Data centers and AI: Has called for a federal moratorium on large data center developments and wants AI regulated. source
Labor: Supports the PRO Act to make it easier for workers to form unions. source

The record

Raised in East Lansing and graduated from East Lansing High School; he and his wife live in Lansing.
A founder of the climate group Sunrise Movement.
A founder of the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition and the Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center.

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Tom Barrett

Barrett voted against ending the national emergency that gave President Trump broad powers to set tariffs; he said the vote came while a Supreme Court decision was still pending. source
Barrett voted for an early draft of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would have prevented state or local governments from regulating artificial intelligence; he said a state-by-state patchwork would be difficult. source
Barrett has introduced or co-sponsored bills to bar federal agencies from overriding local zoning and permitting decisions on data centers, and says data center decisions should stay local. source

Endorsed by

Sen. Bernie Sanders Michigan AFL-CIO United Auto Workers Social Security Works Michigan Education Association

William Lawrence. Photo: Sabio117, CC0

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Race data checked Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.