{"id":2636386,"date":"2026-07-28T05:36:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T09:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meddling-in-michigan-threatens-pickup-opportunity-for-democrats\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T05:46:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T09:46:06","slug":"meddling-in-michigan-threatens-pickup-opportunity-for-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meddling-in-michigan-threatens-pickup-opportunity-for-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"Meddling in Michigan threatens pickup opportunity for Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmeddling-in-michigan-threatens-pickup-opportunity-for-democrats%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636386&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democrats initially believed they had a strong chance in Michigan\u2019s 7th District, with two prominent candidates, Matt Maasdam and Bridget Brink, vying for the nomination. However, recent outside spending, particularly by a pro-Lawrence super PAC linked too the sunrise Movement and involving meaningful financial input, threatens this outlook. the surge of progressive activist William Lawrence,who has garnered support from outside donors and progressive groups,could disrupt the primary by winning and potentially jeopardize a key Democratic pickup opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Spending efforts include millions from both pro-Lawrence and anti-Brink\/Maasdam campaigns, with accusations of foreign and dark money influence. Lawrence,despite facing criticism for comments on Black leaders and support from the Democratic Socialists of America,has seen increasing momentum from progressive activists. Meanwhile, traditional Democratic establishment efforts continue to back Brink and Maasdam, though attack ads and outside influence could unintentionally boost Lawrence as a viable candidate.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-this-gop-advantage-has-some-democrats-panicking-about-their-midterm-chances\/\" title=\"Report: This GOP ...vantage Has Some ... Panicking About Their Midterm Chances\">race remains highly uncertain<\/a> with little polling data, and the primary scheduled for August 4.The district,currently held by GOP Rep. Tom Barrett, is considered competitive. Democratic strategists maintain optimism about their candidates despite obstacles posed by outside spending and internal divisions within the party.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just months ago, Democrats thought they had an abundance of riches in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"655\">Michigan\u2019s<\/a> 7th District with two viable candidates running for the nomination. But a deluge of outside spending in the closing weeks of the primary campaign threatens to jeopardize one of the party\u2019s best pickup opportunities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink are considered two of the stronger recruits for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"288\">Democratic Party<\/a> this cycle, and party operatives were content to let the primary play out, as both are cut from a similar national security cloth.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665412\/dccc-candidates-2026-red-to-blue-midterms\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DCCC adds five candidates to 2026 \u2018Red to Blue\u2019 midterm roster<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4664709\/meddling-michigan-pickup-opportunity-democrats-2026-elections\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Meddling in Michigan threatens pickup opportunity for Democrats<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665388\/el-sayed-stevens-final-michigan-senate-debate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>El Sayed clarifies \u2018ogre\u2019 remark as Stevens dismisses AIPAC concerns in final debate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the surge of William Lawrence, a progressive activist with ties to the climate change group Sunrise Movement and the beneficiary of major outside spending, could put a top Democratic target at risk if he were to win the primary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI can\u2019t honestly say dumping millions of dollars into a primary like this won\u2019t have an impact,\u201d one Democratic strategist told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cBut if I had to guess, I still think Democrats are more likely than not to nominate either Bridget Brink or Matt Maasdam.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spending has increased drastically in recent weeks as a pro-Lawrence super PAC has spent over half a million dollars on ad buys. The group \u2014 Michigan Sunrise PAC \u2014 formed just a week ago and is using the same media buyer as the group that weighed in on a New York primary to boost Lawrence and criticize Maasdam.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maasdam, who\u2019s backed by Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elissa-slotkin\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11673\">Elissa Slotkin<\/a> (D-MI), was accused of being backed by \u201cMAGA billionaires\u201d in a recent ad funded by the Michigan Sunrise PAC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe truth: Matt Maasdam is a dark money-backed former Florida Republican,\u201d  <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PatrickSvitek\/status\/2081024366117081387?s=20\">the ad said<\/a>. \u201cDon\u2019t let MAGA get their guy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same group put out an ad highlighting Lawrence\u2019s endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), claiming he will \u201ctake on Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawrence, Maasdam, and Brink put out a joint statement on Monday condemning the outside money, which is alleged to be funded by Republicans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe won\u2019t let a Republican-aligned dark money group decide who represents this district \u2014 voters in the 7th will make that choice,\u201d the candidates wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawrence has also faced heat recently from Senate Democratic Candidate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), after he drew backlash for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stevens-dings-el-sayed-for-stumping-with-democrat-opposed-by-black-leaders\/\" title=\"Stevens dings el Sayed for stumping with Democrat opposed by ...\">unearthed comments questioning black leaders<\/a> in Washington.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The comments came as the Congressional Black Caucus has become increasingly involved in midterm politics in Michigan and across the country after the Supreme Court overturned elements of the Voting Rights Act. Its PAC urged candidates <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CBCPAC\/status\/2076060103606776141?s=20\">not to affiliate with Lawrence<\/a>, who accused older black leaders of undermining the \u201cwhite Left\u201d with their support for \u201cestablishment\u201d politics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other GOP-aligned super PACs this cycle have spent heavily to boost more progressive candidates. Lead Left, a Republican-funded super PAC, spent nearly $5 million in four primaries to boost more problematic candidates in competitive races. All four candidates lost. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the Democratic Socialists of America does not endorse Lawrence, he is a member of the organization. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf democratic socialism is believing that everybody deserves a good job and a good home and we should have healthcare that covers us for life, then, yeah, you can call me a democratic socialist or whatever you want,\u201d Lawrence <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whmi.com\/news\/article\/democratic-congressional-candidate-william-lawrence-criticizes-iran-strikes-calls-for-shift-in-us-priorities\">told a local radio outlet<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Momentum from the growing progressive flank of the Democratic Party could result in Lawrence prevailing if Brink and Maasdam split the more moderate vote of the Democratic primary voters in the district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Democratic operators remain largely undeterred.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo far this cycle, Republican efforts to manipulate Democratic primaries have repeatedly fallen short,\u201d the Democratic strategist continued. \u201cThe fact that they\u2019re trying again in MI-07 despite that track record says less about the Democratic field than it does about how concerned they are that Tom Barrett is vulnerable heading into the general election.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But as dark money floods the airwaves to boost Lawrence, spending from the Democratic establishment could unintentionally boost the socialist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another group, Michigan Values PAC, which is backed by a Democratic group, has spent more than $800,000 on attack ads against Brink to boost Maasdam. One of the spots highlights Brink\u2019s tenure as President Donald Trump\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/host2.adimpact.com\/admo\/#\/viewer\/0430336f-d8e0-4029-9126-90c10856e7c7\">ambassador to Ukraine<\/a>, a position she resigned from in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As attack ads run against both Brink and Maasdam in the closing weeks, Lawrence could end up the beneficiary, especially as a plurality of votes could be enough to clinch the nomination.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4662432\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-democratic-socialists-america-abolish-senate\/\">AOC AND PROGRESSIVES POUR COLD WATER ON DSA\u2019S CALL TO ABOLISH THE SENATE <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scant polling, largely from surveys sponsored by the candidates, has painted an unclear picture of the primary, with a large chunk of the electorate undecided ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This district \u2014 currently held by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) \u2014 is one of 14 Republican seats labeled a \u201ctoss-up\u201d by the nonpartisan <em>Cook Political Report<\/em>. Barrett won his race by about 4 points in 2024, as Trump won by just 1 point. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats&#8217; Michigan primary faces outside spending risks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2636387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-dwzzwvhcb-1785180635497.jpg?1785166326&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[83307,36464,79138,37975,36673],"class_list":["post-2636386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-opportunities","tag-democratic-strategy","tag-election-priorities","tag-michigan-politics","tag-political-interference"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-dwzzwvhcb-1785180635497.jpg?1785166326&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636386"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636390,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636386\/revisions\/2636390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}