Michigan Congressional Candidate Walks Back Past Remarks on Land Redistribution, Open Borders

William Lawrence, a Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, has distanced himself from past statements made on a 2024 podcast, including remarks about redistributing "all the land and all the money" and establishing a "world without borders." Lawrence, who recently ended his membership with the Democratic Socialists of America, now asserts that he does not hold these views.

During an October 2024 episode of the "Hegemonicon" podcast, Lawrence, then 36, discussed the concept of a world without borders and the redistribution of land and money, stating that such an outcome "would be just." He attributed current inequality to "violence and evil deeds."

Lawrence, who co-founded the left-wing Sunrise Movement, also questioned on the podcast whether it was more effective to "save somebody’s life now or to build power now," rather than pursue more radical aims.

Speaking to the Washington Free Beacon, Lawrence characterized his podcast comments as "thinking out loud on the internet." He clarified, "I don’t support open borders. I remain a staunch critic of the political status quo, and the obscene concentration of wealth and power that corrupts our politics and leaves working people unrepresented."

Lawrence is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, a seat considered highly competitive. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Previously, Lawrence expressed admiration for streamer Hasan Piker and had shared social media posts advocating for far-left views, including defunding the police and criticizing Black Democratic leaders for aligning with "establishment, capitalist, imperialist American power."

During the same podcast interview, Lawrence and his guest, Mijente Policy Director Jacinta González, discussed immigration policies. Lawrence suggested that in a humane society, the impacts of climate change would necessitate opening borders to migrants and asylum seekers, contrasting this with what he described as a "fortress mentality."