Lawrence wins Michigan House primary in key battleground

Progressive organizer William Lawrence won a hard-fought Democratic primary Tuesday in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, setting up a sharply drawn general election against Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in one of the nation’s most closely divided House seats.

Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, defeated former U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam after campaigning as the race’s more liberal candidate and criticizing data centers. The contest grew increasingly tense in its final stretch as Brink and Maasdam battled for more moderate voters, while Lawrence drew support from prominent progressives and outside groups.

The Michigan Democratic Party called Lawrence a “clear choice” for the district. “Will has spent his career in the fight for working people, and he’s not stopping now – he’s taking that fight to Congress,” party chair Curtis Hertel said. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Lawrence, while Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who previously represented the seat, backed Maasdam.

Lawrence will face Barrett, who flipped the district red in 2024. President Donald Trump carried the district by 1 percentage point that year, and outside groups have reserved more advertising there than in all but one other House race in the country, NBC News reported. A mysterious super PAC also spent more than $1 million in the final weeks of the Democratic primary to boost Lawrence and attack Maasdam, raising concerns among some Democrats that Republicans might be trying to help the candidate they consider easier to beat.

Tuesday’s primaries across five states also clarified several other House matchups. In Michigan’s 4th District, Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga, endorsed by Trump, will face Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann, who had support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. In the 10th District, opened by GOP Rep. John James’ run for governor, Trump-backed military veteran Mike Bouchard will face Democrat Christina Hines, a former special victims prosecutor.

James won the Republican nomination for Michigan governor, defeating businessman Perry Johnson, The Guardian reported. He will face Benson, who clinched the Democratic nomination by beating Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The Guardian described James as a fervent election denier who has repeated Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was “rigged.” Michigan Democrats called him a “failed politician” whom voters “have already rejected” twice, while the Republican Governors Association welcomed his victory.

In Missouri, Democratic Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in a St. Louis-area primary rematch. Bell first unseated Bush two years ago with help from millions of dollars in spending by pro-Israel groups. Bush, a democratic socialist, opposes aid to Israel and has accused it of committing genocide in Gaza. The heavily Democratic district makes Bell the favorite for another term.

Missouri voters also overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have made it harder to amend the state constitution. Nearly 80% voted no on a proposal that would have required citizen initiatives to pass in every congressional district rather than by a simple statewide majority.

In Virginia, Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans and former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria are headed for a rematch in the 2nd District. Republican Rep. Rob Wittman will face Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in the 1st District, while Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman will run against Republican Doug Ollivant in the 7th. Republican Rep. John McGuire will face former Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello in a district Trump won by 12 points in 2024.

In Washington state, Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez survived a progressive challenge and will face state Senate Republican leader John Braun, who has Trump’s endorsement, in a district Trump won by 3 points in 2024.