Progressives clinch win with Lawrence's victory in House primary to face Barrett in Michigan

Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is projected to win the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional District and take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) this fall, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Lawrence defeated former Ukraine Ambassador Bridget Brink, endorsed by former Democratic Govs. Jennifer Granholm and Jim Blanchard, and former U.S. Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, who was backed by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). Lawrence’s win is a blow to centrists who see him as the weaker candidate to take on Barrett in November.

Cook Political Report rates the general election as a “toss up,” and Barrett’s seat will be critical in determining the House majority in the fall.

There was some anxiety among Democrats that with Maasdam and Brink both in the race, the two candidates were splitting moderate Democrats and giving Lawrence an opening to win —potentially making the party’s path to victory in November harder.

Maasdam suggested last month that Brink was playing “spoiler” in the race while Brink’s allies called the former Navy SEAL the electoral disruptor in the race.

President Trump won Barrett’s district by just over 1 percentage point in 2024, according to The Downballot.

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Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is projected to win the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional…

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Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is projected to win the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional District and take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) this fall, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Lawrence defeated former Ukraine Ambassador Bridget Brink, endorsed by former Democratic Govs. Jennifer Granholm and Jim Blanchard, and former U.S. Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, who was backed by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). Lawrence’s win is a blow to centrists who see him as the weaker candidate to take on Barrett in November.

Cook Political Report rates the general election as a “toss up,” and Barrett’s seat will be critical in determining the House majority in the fall.

There was some anxiety among Democrats that with Maasdam and Brink both in the race, the two candidates were splitting moderate Democrats and giving Lawrence an opening to win —potentially making the party’s path to victory in November harder.

Maasdam suggested last month that Brink was playing “spoiler” in the race while Brink’s allies called the former Navy SEAL the electoral disruptor in the race.

President Trump won Barrett’s district by just over 1 percentage point in 2024, according to The Downballot.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · The Hill ↗ · The Hill ↗

Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is projected to win the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional District and take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) this fall, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Lawrence defeated former Ukraine Ambassador Bridget Brink, endorsed by former Democratic Govs. Jennifer Granholm and Jim Blanchard, and former U.S. Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, who was backed by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). Lawrence’s win is a blow to centrists who see him as the weaker candidate to take on Barrett in November.

Cook Political Report rates the general election as a “toss up,” and Barrett’s seat will be critical in determining the House majority in the fall.

There was some anxiety among Democrats that with Maasdam and Brink both in the race, the two candidates were splitting moderate Democrats and giving Lawrence an opening to win —potentially making the party’s path to victory in November harder.

Maasdam suggested last month that Brink was playing “spoiler” in the race while Brink’s allies called the former Navy SEAL the electoral disruptor in the race.

President Trump won Barrett’s district by just over 1 percentage point in 2024, according to The Downballot.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read the full story at The Hill ↗ · The Hill ↗ · The Hill ↗

This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.

• Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Sen.
• Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is projected to win the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional…