Key facts
- William Lawrence, a climate organizer and co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, won the Democratic primary in Michigan's seventh congressional district.
- Lawrence's campaign centered on opposition to unchecked datacenter development and its impact on the energy grid.
- He defeated Bridget Brink, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and Slovakia, and Matt Maasdam, a former US Navy Seal.
- Lawrence will face incumbent Republican Tom Barrett in the November general election.
- Lawrence received endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Rashida Tlaib, and US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
William Lawrence, a prominent environmental organizer and co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, has won the Democratic primary in Michigan's seventh congressional district. Lawrence, 36, foregrounded his support for a datacenter moratorium during his campaign, a stance that resonated across the district, including in small towns. He defeated Bridget Brink, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and Slovakia, and Matt Maasdam, a former US Navy Seal and military aide to Barack Obama.
Lawrence's campaign manager, Stevie O’Hanlon, stated that Lawrence's opposition to datacenter development was a key factor in his victory, helping him secure significant margins in areas where insiders did not expect him to compete. Lawrence had previously expressed concerns about the unprecedented burden datacenters place on the energy grid and the lack of clean energy plans to support increased demand.
Survey research from Data for Progress indicated that a majority of US voters, including independents and a notable portion of Republicans, were more likely to support a candidate advocating for a pause in datacenter construction. Lawrence, in his victory statement, emphasized that the voters of Michigan's 7th district sent a message against the influence of Silicon Valley billionaires and D.C. insiders, favoring an "unbought representative" who will fight for working people.
In the general election, Lawrence will face incumbent Republican Tom Barrett, who has often aligned with Trump. Lawrence highlighted his support for universal healthcare, increased taxes on billionaires, and ending the war in Iran and arms sales to Israel as part of his platform. His district is considered a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report.