Democrat William Lawrence, a co-founder of the progressive Sunrise Movement, has won his party’s primary in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, NBC News projects. This victory marks a significant win for the progressive left and sets the stage for a dramatic general election contest in one of the nation’s most competitive House races.

The primary took place on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, alongside primaries in four other states featuring major battleground districts. Lawrence defeated two prominent Democratic rivals with national security backgrounds—former Ambassador Bridget Brink and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam—by positioning himself as the more liberal candidate and a vocal critic of data centers. The contest between Brink and Maasdam grew increasingly bitter, splitting the moderate wing of the party.

Michigan’s 7th District is a critical swing seat that President Donald Trump narrowly carried by just one percentage point in 2024. Reflecting its importance, super PACs and outside groups have reserved more advertising spending there than in all but one other House race nationwide.

Lawrence garnered support from numerous prominent progressives and outside groups. Notably, a mysterious super PAC spent over $1 million in the final weeks of the race to promote Lawrence and attack Maasdam. This spending has raised concerns among some Democrats that Republicans might be backing Lawrence, believing he would be easier to defeat in the general election.

The general election battle in this district is expected to be closely watched as Republicans and Democrats vie for control in a pivotal battleground.

Sources

NBC News: Progressive activist wins Democratic primary in one of the nation’s biggest House races