Will Lawrence, a co-founder of the youth climate activism group Sunrise Movement, is projected to win the election for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, potentially dealing a blow to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The race was considered one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm cycle.
Lawrence, who previously was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and received endorsements from figures like Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Bernie Sanders, has sought to moderate his image during the campaign. His projected victory comes amid an anticipated strong performance for Democrats nationwide, with polls indicating a potential shift in the House majority.
He faced incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Barrett, who was seeking his second term. Barrett, who served two decades in the U.S. Army with deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, had characterized Lawrence's political leanings as disqualifying. His district, anchored in Lansing, was classified as a toss-up by both Fox News Power Rankings and the Cook Political Report.
Lawrence's primary victory was part of a trend of progressive candidates winning upset victories in Democratic primaries. He defeated former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam for the party's nomination. In 2013, Lawrence was arrested and charged with a felony during a protest against a fossil fuel pipeline, chaining himself to machinery alongside other activists.
