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D Democratic · U.S. House 7, Michigan · Nov 3, 2026

William
Lawrence

Progressive community organizer and Sunrise Movement co-founder running as Democratic nominee in Michigan's 7th Congressional District

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
24
positions
10
endorsements
17
wewill2026.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Tom Barrett R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

William Lawrence is the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, running in the November 3, 2026 general election against Republican incumbent Tom Barrett. He won the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026, and is not the incumbent. 1256

Lawrence was raised in East Lansing and now lives in Lansing, Michigan. He studied sociology and anthropology at Swarthmore College after graduating from East Lansing High School. 117

Before launching his congressional bid, Lawrence co-founded the Sunrise Movement and served as its director of strategic partnerships. He later focused on renter advocacy in Michigan, working with the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition and founding the Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center, where he has served as board chair since December 2024. 1719

Lawrence has made climate, housing, and technology regulation central to his campaign, including a plan for regulating Big Tech and data centers. He is aligned with progressive figures including Abdul El-Sayed and has received endorsements from groups such as MoveOn. 2467

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 7, Michigan
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Board Chair, Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center; Democratic nominee for Michigan's 7th Congressional District
Website
wewill2026.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 6
    debate
    Lawrence and Barrett clash in first televised debate

    The candidates debated immigration enforcement, data centers, Iran, tariffs, and health care. Barrett cited Lawrence's past social-media statements on policing and immigration; Lawrence said he supports funding police alongside community-violence intervention and mental-health programs, and criticized Barrett's congressional votes.

    Lawrence, Barrett clash on immigration enforcement, data centers in ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 6
    endorsement
    Detroit Free Press editorial board endorses Lawrence

    The Detroit Free Press endorsed William Lawrence in the MI-7 congressional race as part of its Michigan election endorsement roundup.

    Governor, SOS, AG, U.S. Senate, House, state Legislature, proposals · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 29
    news
    Lawrence campaign statement highlights no-corporate-PAC pledge and union endorsements

    Lawrence said he was running to stop AI data centers, invest in housing and healthcare, and stop Trump's policy on Iran. He cited endorsements from the Michigan AFL-CIO, UAW, IBEW Local 665, and National Nurses United, and said he was not taking corporate PAC money.

    William Lawrence is running for you, not the corporations · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 18
    news
    Lawrence rolls out 'Stop Tech Overreach' AI and data-center regulatory plan

    Lawrence called for a federal moratorium on data-center development and outlined a broader plan including environmental rules for data centers, safety requirements for AI models, privacy protections, limits on AI in schools and government, and a jobs program funded by a tax on AI-industry profits.

    Will Lawrence rolls out plan for regulating Big Tech, data centers in ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 15
    news
    Lawrence holds campaign event at Michigan State University

    Lawrence spoke on the campus of Michigan State University during a campaign event in East Lansing.

    William Lawrence, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan\'s 7th District, speaks on the campus of Michigan State University during a campaign event Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 15
    news
    DCCC adds Lawrence to its Red to Blue battleground program

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Lawrence to its Red to Blue program, providing support for fundraising, organizing, and staffing in the toss-up district.

    Democrats add Will Lawrence to battleground 'red to blue' program · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 14
    endorsement
    AFGE endorses Lawrence as one of 11 Michigan House candidates

    The American Federation of Government Employees announced its endorsement of William Lawrence among 11 Michigan U.S. House candidates it backed.

    Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 11 Michigan Candidates for U.S. House · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Aug 11
    poll
    Poll shows Lawrence at 49%, Barrett at 47% in MI-7

    A Global Strategy Group survey of 500 likely voters, commissioned by Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC, showed Lawrence leading Barrett 49–47. As of October 11 this remained the most recent district-specific poll available.

    Michigan 7th District — 2026 House Race, Candidates & FEC ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Aug 4
    news
    Lawrence wins Democratic primary in Michigan's 7th District

    William Lawrence defeated former U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and Matt Maasdam to become the Democratic nominee. The general-election field includes Lawrence, Republican Rep. Tom Barrett, and Green Party candidate Shane Dedrick.

    Incumbent Tom Barrett and William Lawrence are running ... · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Ro Khanna official
    Rep. Ro Khanna reported as an endorser; announcement date not verified from sources reviewed. newsfromthestates.com
  • United Auto Workers (UAW) union
    Reported as an endorser by the Detroit Free Press on September 28, 2026; union's endorsement date not given in source. freep.com
  • Rashida Tlaib official
    Rep. Rashida Tlaib endorsed Lawrence; announcement date not verified from sources reviewed. Tlaib's campaign lists Lawrence among her endorsed candidates. rashidaforcongress.com
  • Abdul El-Sayed official
    Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed reported as an endorser before the Democratic primary; endorsement date not given in source. techtimes.com
  • IBEW Local 665 union
    Lawrence named IBEW Local 665 as an endorser in a September 29 opinion piece; that is the publication date, not necessarily the union's endorsement date. lansingcitypulse.com
  • United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876 union
    Reported as an endorser on October 2, 2026; individual endorsement date not stated. newsbreak.com
  • Michigan Education Association (MEA) union
    Lawrence named MEA as an endorser in a September 7 post; that is the post date, not necessarily the union's endorsement date. x.com
  • MoveOn organization
    MoveOn endorsed Lawrence; page updated October 3, 2026. Date reflects page update, not necessarily original endorsement announcement. front.moveon.org · Oct 3, 2026
  • Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition organization
    Reported as an endorser by Michigan Advance on October 2, 2026; individual endorsement date not stated. newsbreak.com · Oct 2, 2026
  • National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare organization
    Reported as an endorser by Michigan Advance on October 2, 2026; individual endorsement date not stated. newsbreak.com · Oct 2, 2026
  • Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy organization
    Reported as an endorser by Michigan Advance on October 2, 2026; individual endorsement date not stated. newsbreak.com · Oct 2, 2026
  • Detroit Free Press editorial board newspaper
    Detroit Free Press editorial board endorsed Lawrence on September 28, 2026. freep.com · Sep 28, 2026
  • Michigan AFL-CIO union
    Endorsed Lawrence on August 20, 2026, as part of its general-election slate. miaflcio.org · Aug 20, 2026
  • Indivisible organization
    Indivisible candidate page identifies Lawrence as endorsed; page posted August 5, 2026. Date reflects page posting, not necessarily endorsement announcement. indivisible.org · Aug 5, 2026
  • Bernie Sanders official
    U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Lawrence in the Democratic primary. newsfromthestates.com · May 21, 2026
  • Working Families Party organization
    WFP endorsed Lawrence on February 27, 2026. workingfamilies.org · Feb 27, 2026
  • National Nurses United organization
    Reported as an endorser; endorsement dated January 21, 2026 in citation information available. wlns.com · Jan 21, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.12M
Spent
$736K
Cash on hand
$383K

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MI07298(opens in a new tab)

Sources 24

  1. [1] William Lawrence (D) – MI-07 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] Governor, SOS, AG, U.S. Senate, House, state Legislature, proposals(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  3. [3] Lawrence, Barrett clash on immigration enforcement, data centers in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  4. [4] WKAR Specials | Decision 2026: Michigan's 7th Congressional District Debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  5. [5] William Lawrence, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan\'s 7th District, speaks on the campus of Michigan State University during a campaign event Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich.(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  6. [6] Michigan 7th District — 2026 House Race, Candidates & FEC ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief - NewsBreak(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] William Lawrence is running for you, not the corporations(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  9. [9] Free Press endorsement in Michigan's 7th U.S. House race(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  10. [10] Michigan's 7th District race is rated a toss-up. Here's where the candidates stand.(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
  11. [11] William Lawrence : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  12. [12] Incumbent Tom Barrett and William Lawrence are running ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
  13. [13] Will Lawrence rolls out plan for regulating Big Tech, data centers in ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  14. [14] Democrats add Will Lawrence to battleground 'red to blue' program(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  15. [15] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 11 Michigan Candidates for U.S. House(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  16. [16] William Lawrence on X(opens in a new tab) Sep 7, 2026
  17. [17] Michigan AFL-CIO Endorses Pro-Worker Candidates in General ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
  18. [18] Moratorium Candidate Wins House Toss-Up: Michigan Primary ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  19. [19] William Lawrence MI-07(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  20. [20] Michigan's 7th District Democratic primary: Meet candidate William ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
  21. [21] Meet the candidates: William Lawrence(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026
  22. [22] Rashida's Community Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Jul 9, 2026
  23. [23] Bernie Sanders backs Lawrence in Michigan’s competitive 7th District Democratic primary(opens in a new tab) May 21, 2026
  24. [24] WFP Endorses Donavan McKinney, William Lawrence ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 27, 2026
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