Progressive candidate wins Democratic primary in Michigan’s 7th District

Progressive activist William Lawrence won the Democratic primary in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, taking 42 percent of the vote over two more moderate rivals who split the remaining ballots.

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink finished second with 30 percent, while retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam took 28 percent.

The district covers all of Ingham County, home to Lansing, and all of Livingston County, home to Howell, with Ingham accounting for about 50 percent more of the district's population. Ingham has trended more Democratic in recent years, with Kamala Harris carrying it by nearly 30 points in 2024, while Livingston remained solidly Republican, backing Donald Trump by 24 points that year. The district overall favored Trump narrowly, 50 percent to 49 percent, in 2024.

Some Democrats have expressed concern that Lawrence may be too far left to win a district Trump carried, and analysts rated the seat a pure toss-up heading into November, noting the primary result could shift the race toward Republicans in the coming weeks.

Read the full story at almanacofamericanpolitics.substack.com.