William Lawrence (D) defeated Bridget Brink (D) and Matt Maasdam (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 7th Congressional District on August 4, 2026.
Lawrence will face incumbent Tom Barrett (R), first elected in 2024, in the general election. As of May 2026, major forecasting organizations rated the general election a toss-up. The Detroit Free Press' Todd Spangler said the 7th District "may be the most likely to flip to Democrats in November, having previously been represented by now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin. ... Barrett faces a tough reelection campaign given a national atmosphere that favors the Democrats."
Lawrence was an organizer and co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition, and the Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center. Lawrence's campaign website said he was "a coalition-builder who knows how to bring people together to get things done, even against the odds." In a campaign ad, Lawrence said, "People around the district tell me we want someone who shows up, who listens, and who really fights. So of course, Democratic powerbrokers are pushing two candidates who've never even lived here. Out of touch, elite politics is what brought us Trump and Barrett in the first place." The Working Families Party endorsed Lawrence.
