On Tuesday, August 5th, 2026, two significant Democratic primary wins were projected in Michigan’s congressional races. Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence, backed by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), won the three-way Democratic primary for the Lansing-based 7th Congressional District. Lawrence defeated former Ukraine Ambassador Bridget Brink, who was endorsed by former Democratic Governors Jennifer Granholm and Jim Blanchard. Lawrence will face incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Barrett this fall. Barrett’s seat is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and is critical in determining the House majority. Barrett’s district was narrowly won by President Trump by just over 1 percentage point in 2024.

Lawrence’s victory is seen as a setback for centrists who view him as a weaker candidate against Barrett. Some Democrats expressed concern that the presence of both Maasdam and Brink in the race split moderate voters, potentially aiding Lawrence’s win and complicating the party’s path to victory in November.

In the state’s 11th Congressional District, Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D), president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate since January 2023, defeated five other Democrats in the primary. Moss is projected to succeed Stevens in the House after this primary win, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

These primary outcomes highlight the ongoing contest between progressive and moderate factions within the Michigan Democratic Party as they prepare for crucial general election battles.

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