Democratic challenger unseats Michigan Republican in competitive House race

Will Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, is expected to head to Congress after a closely watched election considered a key indicator for the 2026 midterm cycle. Lawrence previously was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and received endorsements from Representative Rashida Tlaib and Senator Bernie Sanders.

During the campaign’s final weeks, Lawrence attempted to distance himself from the socialist label, adopting a more moderate stance that appears to have resonated with voters.

Lawrence’s victory occurs amidst projections of a successful election for Democrats nationally, with recent polls suggesting a potential shift in control of the House after four years of Republican leadership.

Representative Barrett, a former U.S. Army officer with deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, was targeted by Democrats as a vulnerable incumbent. He was seeking a second term representing the Lansing, Michigan-based district, which was considered a toss-up by analysts.

Lawrence secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam in a primary election.

In 2013, Lawrence was arrested and charged with a felony for his involvement in a protest where he and other activists chained themselves to machinery to obstruct the construction of a fossil fuel pipeline.