{"id":2637984,"date":"2026-07-30T17:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tensions-flare-in-michigan-primary-as-socialist-surges\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T17:23:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:23:10","slug":"tensions-flare-in-michigan-primary-as-socialist-surges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tensions-flare-in-michigan-primary-as-socialist-surges\/","title":{"rendered":"Tensions flare in Michigan primary as socialist surges"},"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%2Ftensions-flare-in-michigan-primary-as-socialist-surges%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=2637984&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>Tensions escalated in Michigan\u2019s 7th Congressional District Democratic primary as former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam publicly suggested that candidate Bridget Brink should drop out of the race, sparking a controversy. Maasdam and Brink, both moderate establishment-backed candidates, are competing with progressive William Lawrence, who is gaining traction and coudl win if the moderate votes split. Maasdam hinted Brink might consider withdrawing but stopped short of endorsing this, aiming to consolidate votes against Lawrence, who has surged in polls. Brink remains committed, emphasizing her lifelong fight against tough battles and her trustworthiness to voters. Allies of Brink criticized Maasdam for inflammatory remarks and urged accountability for his campaign\u2019s actions. The primary campaign has been heavily influenced by outside spending, with dark money groups supporting Lawrence and attacking Brink, complicating the race further. The outcome is crucial as the district is considered a key swing seat, with Lawrence potentially benefiting from negative ads against both main candidates.  <\/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\">The drama 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 Congressional District\u2019s Democratic primary reached a boiling point Wednesday after former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/navy-seals\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1571\">Navy SEAL<\/a> Matt Maasdam hinted that former U.S. Ambassador to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"82\">Ukraine<\/a> Bridget Brink should drop out of the race ahead of Tuesday\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maasdam and Brink, two moderate, establishment-backed candidates, are in a bitter battle to secure the nomination, which has been turned upside down by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/progressives\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1115\">progressive<\/a> William Lawrence gaining momentum, a shift that could result in Lawrence prevailing if Brink and Maasdam split the more moderate vote of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-primary\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2328\">Democratic primary<\/a> voters in the district.<\/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\/4669913\/tension-grow-in-michigan-7th-primary-outside-spending-closing-weeks-ambassador\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tensions flare in Michigan primary as socialist surge threatens establishment picks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4669601\/elon-musk-pac-spending-midterms\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Elon Musk PAC to\u00a0\u2018team\u2019 up with GOP campaign apparatus with major cash infusion<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4667634\/jackie-auringer-calls-pat-ryan-return-aipac-funds-new-york-house-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New York Republican calls on Pat Ryan to return more than $700,000 in AIPAC cash<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maasdam, in an interview with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, suggested that Brink could drop out but stopped short of fully endorsing the idea.<\/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\">\u201cThere\u2019s still a lot of undecided votes out there, and I think she\u2019s got a big choice to make,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added he would spend the next few days before his Aug. 4 primary consolidating votes in his favor to try to defeat Lawrence, whose steady rise in the polls has upended the primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI would love to consolidate as many votes for my campaign as possible, and that\u2019s my goal and job over the next few days, but she\u2019s got a big choice to make, and it will be close,\u201d Maasdam said.<\/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\">The drama began Wednesday, when a Maasdam staffer posted internal polling showing Lawrence leading, Maasdam in second, and Brink in third, to social media. The staffer called Brink, who has led in multiple <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/michigan-us-house-7-polls-2026.html\">public polls<\/a>, a \u201cspoiler.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNon-Lawrence vote is greater than Lawrence vote in<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/MI07?src=hashtag_click\"> #MI07<\/a>,\u201d Maasdam\u2019s campaign manager Emma Grundhauser <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/emgrundy\/status\/2082503854222963145?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cAnd yet Bridget Brink, seeing the same trends in polling \u2013 has decided to stay in this race and play spoiler.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The statement created a firestorm of reaction, with Brink and Maasdam allies each racing to their candidate\u2019s defense.<\/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\">\u201cI think he\u2019s the strongest candidate in the general election,\u201d Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), who backs Maasdam and previously held the seat, told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> \u201cHe\u2019d be the first Democratic Navy SEAL ever in the U.S. Congress, and to take on a veteran himself in the general election, I think that\u2019s really important.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf there were one \u2026 practical choice competing then it would be a one-to-one race, give that this is a Republican-leaning seat, I think that would be the ideal thing for all parties,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrew Mamo, who is affiliated with the center-left group the Bench backing Maasdam, wrote on X that the primary \u201cis a two person race,\u201d adding Maasdam \u201cis the only person who can beat\u201d Lawrence.<\/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\">But Brink isn\u2019t planning on going anywhere, despite the public pressure, a spokesperson told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve spent my whole life taking on tough fights from standing up to Putin and Trump as the first female war zone Ambassador to fighting breast cancer and that\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m in this race and why I\u2019ll never stop fighting for what\u2019s right,\u201d Brink wrote to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVoters know who they can trust to stand up to Trump and take on a broken Washington full of politicians who do the bidding of corporate special interests while leaving mid-Michigan families behind,\u201d she said. <\/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\">Even Brink\u2019s allies have called out Maasdam for any insinuation that she should drop out. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo be clear, Matt Maasdam spent most of this race in third place, he and his allies spent months tearing down Bridget Brink because she was leading in the polls,\u201d EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jessicamackler\/status\/2082875167802355885?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cHe should take some responsibility for his own actions before telling a qualified woman to drop out.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which did not back a candidate in this race, declined to comment on the developments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just months ago, Democrats thought they had an abundance of riches in Michigan\u2019s 7th District with two viable candidates running for the nomination. But a deluge of outside spending in the closing weeks of the primary campaign has switched up the race. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. A mysterious outside group with alleged GOP ties has spent more than $1.5 million boosting Lawrence and opposing Maasdam.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from dark money spending to support Lawrence, another group, Michigan Values PAC, funded by the Bench, has spent more than $800,000 on attack ads against Brink in an effort to boost Maasdam. One of the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/host2.adimpact.com\/admo\/#\/viewer\/0430336f-d8e0-4029-9126-90c10856e7c7\"> spots<\/a> highlights Brink\u2019s tenure as Trump\u2019s ambassador to Ukraine, a position she resigned from in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4664709\/meddling-michigan-pickup-opportunity-democrats-2026-elections\/\">MEDDLING IN MICHIGAN THREATENS PICKUP OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS<\/a><\/strong><\/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 to take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), who flipped the seat in 2024 when Slotkin gave it up to run for Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This district 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 President Donald Trump won by just 1 point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan Dem primary heats up as Maasdam hints Brink should drop out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2637985,"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\/brink-new-collage-e1785243348354.jpg?1785228969&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34059,54207,36369,12428],"class_list":["post-2637984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election-2024","tag-michigan-primary","tag-political-tensions","tag-socialism"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/brink-new-collage-e1785243348354.jpg?1785228969&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637984","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=2637984"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2637988,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637984\/revisions\/2637988"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2637985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2637984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2637984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2637984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}