Progressive Lawrence notches battleground challenge
By Andrew Rice | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Candidates across Michigan scored partisan victories in races that will determine the balance of Congress in November, while other races remained too close to call.
The U.S. House of Representatives currently has a 218-212 split in favor of Republicans. Four vacancies remain the chamber due to three resignations and one death where candidates have yet to fill the positions. Historically, the opposition party makes waves in Congress the election year following a presidential win.
District 7
In one of the most closely watched races in the country, Tom Barrett, R-Mich., will face off against Democrat progressive community organizer William Lawrence in November.
Lawrence has focused his campaign on addressing environmental issues in Michigan. He called for a one-year federal moratorium on AI data centers and to preserve game and wildlife areas.
“Michigan’s water and farmland and our health are under attack from multi-national corporations, and too many politicians are afraid to stand up for Michiganders,” Lawrence’s website reads.
Lawrence came under scrutiny after comments criticizing Black Democratic political leaders. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned Lawrence’s remarks and called for others to stop supporting him. Lawrence has since apologized for his comments.
Barrett flipped the seat in 2024, after Sen. Elissa Slotkin pursued a run in the upper chamber. He was one of four Republicans who voted alongside Democrats in July on a war powers resolution to restrict President Donald Trump’s military action in Iran.
“Congress has sole authority to decide when and how we go to war,” Barrett wrote on social media.
Barrett has supported other elements of the Trump administration’s agenda. He voted in favor of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” legislation all three Democratic candidates sharply criticized.
Barrett has outpaced Democrats in campaign fundraising with more than $2.8 million in cash on hand. Barrett has received $5,000 over the last year from the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC; $2,500 from the National Rifle Association and $2,000 from the American Airlines PAC.
Lawrence trailed with $570,000 in cash on hand.
District 8
Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., will face off against a Republican who is yet to be determined for a second term in the competitive eighth congressional district.
Thomas Smith, a candidate who dropped out but remains on the ballot, leads Trump-endorsed Amir Hassan and Al Lemmo for the partisan nomination with 50.5% of the vote on Tuesday night.
McDonald Rivet introduced a bill to completely ban congressional stock and prediction market trading, going a step further than other proposals that pushed to ban members of Congress from trading stock.
“No one in government should be using their position to enrich themselves while working people struggle, regardless of Party,” McDonald Rivet said.
Trump endorsed Hassan to flip the eight district seat. He has focused on embracing technology and advancing competition with China.
“It’s critical that we reinvest in the American workforce to better compete against China in this arena; promoting trades and incentivizing the restoration of blue-collar jobs here at home,” Hassan’s website reads.
McDonald Rivet has a massive lead in fundraising with more than $4.2 million in cash on hand, followed by Hassan with $104,000.
McDonald Rivet has received $3,000 over the last year from the Boeing PAC; $6,500 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $8,500 from the American Hospital Association PAC.
Hassan has received $8,500 over the last year from the Upper Hand Fund, a federal Leadership Political Action Committee associated with Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich.
If Smith wins the primary election, it will be up to the Republican party in Michigan to assign who moves forward with the nomination.
District 10
Michael Bouchard and an undetermined Democrat will face off for the seat vacated by former Rep. John James, who is running for governor.
Christina Hines, a former prosecutor, is leading in the polls against Eric Chung and Tim Griemel. Hines has pushed for expanding tax credit opportunities and federal support of small businesses with 45.8% of the vote.
“America should lead the world in innovation in new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, while setting responsible guardrails that protect families, workers, and hard-earned savings,” Hines’ website reads.
Bouchard, a Trump-endorsed Army veteran, has focused his campaign on supporting the administration’s immigration policies and advancing the president’s agenda.
“I stand for finishing the wall, restoring the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, and ending catch-and-release once and for all,” Bouchard’s website reads. “We must secure the border, stop the flow of illegal drugs, and deport criminal illegals who endanger our citizens.”
Chung, a former lawyer for the U.S. Departement of Commerce has pushed for expanding child tax credits.
“President Trump promised us lower costs and more jobs. Meanwhile, Michigan families are paying $2,000 a year more for basic goods, the price of a new car is projected to go up $6,000, and 11,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in July,” Chung’s website reads.
Bouchard leads the fundraising pack with more than $950,000 in cash on hand, followed by Chung with $621,000 and Hines with $185,000. Bouchard has received $5,000 from the Buckeye PAC and Chung has received $2,000 from the Amalgamated Bank.
For more information and updated election results, stay tuned to thecentersquare.com/michigan.