{"id":2640694,"date":"2026-08-05T00:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T04:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/socialist-william-lawrence-wins-democratic-primary-in-michigan-race\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T00:05:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T04:05:51","slug":"socialist-william-lawrence-wins-democratic-primary-in-michigan-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/socialist-william-lawrence-wins-democratic-primary-in-michigan-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Socialist William Lawrence wins Democratic primary in Michigan race"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fsocialist-william-lawrence-wins-democratic-primary-in-michigan-race%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=2640694&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>William lawrence, a progressive insurgent and founder of the Sunrise Movement, won a three-way primary race in Michigan\u2019s 7th Congressional District, defeating moderate candidates Bridget Brink and Matt Maasdam. He secured 43% of the vote, potentially impacting the Democrats\u2019 chances in the upcoming general election against incumbent Republican Tom Barrett. Lawrence\u2019s surge,aided by attack ads targeting his rivals,upset the established race between Brink and maasdam. His victory is seen as significant but presents an uphill battle against Barrett due to lawrence\u2019s progressive views and ties to Democratic Socialists of America, though he is not officially endorsed by the organization. The Republican National committee highlighted Lawrence\u2019s win as a sign of the Democrats\u2019 challenges in maintaining the seat, which is considered competitive. Democrats, meanwhile, are criticizing Barrett\u2019s record ahead of the November vote, positioning the district as a crucial battleground in the midterms.  <\/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\">William Lawrence, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/progressives\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1115\">progressive<\/a> insurgent, upset the Democratic establishment Tuesday to win the tense primary to run against Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), possibly thwarting one of the top pickup opportunities for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"249\">Democrats<\/a> in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawrence led with a plurality of the vote in the three-way field, 43%, when the <em>Associated Press<\/em> called the race at 11:23 p.m. 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 had 29%, while 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 had 28%. 55% of the vote was tabulated when the race was called.<\/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\/4672791\/william-lawrence-wins-crowded-primary-to-take-on-tom-barrett-threatening-democrats-chances-in-swing-seat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>William Lawrence wins crowded primary to take on Tom Barrett, threatening Democrats\u2019 chances in swing seat<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4672912\/marie-gluesenkamp-perez-face-john-braun-washington-3rd\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to face Trump-backed John Braun in November<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4674887\/wesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-cori-bush\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Wesley Bell fends off challenge from DSA-backed Cori Bush<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bitter battle between Brink and Maasdam to secure the nomination was turned upside down by the upstart Lawrence, whose surge in the weeks leading up to the primary was enough to clinch the nomination. As attack ads ran against both Brink and Maasdam in the closing weeks, Lawrence ended up being the beneficiary and clinched the nomination.<\/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\">In the days before the primary, Maasdam\u2019s campaign suggested that Brink was playing \u201cspoiler\u201d in the race to give Lawrence an opening. He said in an interview with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> last week that she had a \u201cbig choice to make\u201d but stopped short of calling on her to drop out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis primary could have really significant implications for Democrats\u2019 ability to flip this seat,\u201d the Cook Political Report\u2019s Erin Covey told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cWhich you know, if you look at the list of seats that Democrats are playing in this cycle and one that they could conceivably flip on paper, this should be one of the most winnable ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawrence, a founder of the climate activist group Sunrise Movement, will have more of an uphill battle to win Michigan\u2019s 7th Congressional District against Barrett due to his progressive roots and ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, although he is not endorsed by the organization.<\/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\">\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> a local radio outlet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Republican Congressional Committee took note of Lawrence\u2019s victory over the two centrist Democrats, claiming the Democrats\u2019 \u201cpath to the House majority is evaporating in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEvery embarrassing defeat leaves them with a radical socialist nominee, an emptier bank account, and another must-win seat off the board,\u201d NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.<\/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\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4671275\/remaining-primaries-might-not-be-following-generational-gap-out-with-the-old\/\">UNDER THE RADAR PRIMARY RACES YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THREE MONTHS UNTIL MIDTERM ELECTIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Katie Smith, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement that the race will be a \u201creferendum on Tom Barrett\u2019s record of broken promises.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBarrett is a fraud who told families he\u2019d stand up for them, then gutted their health care, voted twice to allow the forever war in Iran, and backed reckless tariffs \u2014 sticking Michigan families with the bill for higher prices everywhere from at the pump, in the doctor\u2019s office, at the grocery store, and more,\u201d Smith wrote. \u201cThis November, Michigan voters will reject Broken Promise Barrett for selling them out.\u201d<\/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\">This district is one of 14 Republican seats labeled a toss-up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Barrett won his race by about 4 percentage 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>Progressive William Lawrence wins primary, challenging Barrett<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2640695,"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\/sipaphotostwentyseven494607.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32807,4601,5894,12428,83703],"class_list":["post-2640694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-primary","tag-michigan","tag-politics","tag-socialism","tag-william-lawrence"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sipaphotostwentyseven494607.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640694","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=2640694"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640697,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640694\/revisions\/2640697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}