Michigan Politics: Lawrence Overtakes Barrett in District 7
A progressive candidate wins a competitive swing district seat that supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
By Alexei Brooks ·
William Lawrence defeated Rep. Tom Barrett in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. NBC News projects the result as a win for the progressive Democrat. The district is a swing seat that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024. This marks a notable victory for the left flank of the Democratic Party.
Lawrence ran on a platform focused on local tech issues. He opposed the development of new data centers and the use of Flock cameras. The candidate also pushed for strict regulations on artificial intelligence. He co-founded the Sunrise Movement before entering Congress. He advanced to the general election after winning a primary with less than 50% of the vote.
The race featured sharp disagreements over economic policy and technology. Lawrence argued that tech companies hold too much power. He quoted a September interview where he described extreme concentration of power as a major threat. He specifically named tech companies and their government allies as the source of this concentration.
Barrett, a Republican and Army veteran, criticized Lawrence for being too far left. Barrett previously served in the state Legislature. He won his first term in 2024 by a three-point margin. As the national environment shifted, Barrett sought distance from President Trump. He backed war powers resolutions to limit presidential authority in Iran.
Barrett introduced legislation regarding data centers. The bill would prevent the federal government from overriding local decisions on these facilities. Lawrence said the proposal did not go far enough. Barrett disagreed with Trump’s remark that communities rejecting data centers would become backward and poor. He stated that local residents should have the final say on such projects.
The candidates clashed on artificial intelligence during a debate last month. Lawrence called for a pause on AI advancements. He cited whistleblowers who raised alarms about the technology’s dangers. Barrett argued for robust protections but opposed a pause. He believed a pause would empower American adversaries. Lawrence distanced himself from his past affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America, noting his membership lapsed in July.
