Barrett, Lawrence Face Off in Michigan's 7th
Republican Tom Barrett, Democrat William Lawrence and Green Party candidate Shane Dedrick compete for the 7th Congressional District seat in Michigan.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Political Parties
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Republican incumbent Tom Barrett is running against Democrat William Lawrence and Green Party candidate Shane Dedrick in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, with the election set for November 3, 2026. The race will help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Why it matters
The contest is one of the midterm races that will shape which party controls the U.S. House, and major forecasters rated it either Lean Democratic or a Toss-up as of September 2026. Its outcome will determine who represents Michigan's 7th District in Washington.
As of July 15, Barrett had raised $6.3 million and spent $3.5 million, compared with $1.2 million raised and $736,000 spent by Lawrence. Lawrence won the Democratic primary with 42.4% of the vote, while Barrett ran unopposed with 72,459 votes.
The players
Tom Barrett
Barrett is the Republican incumbent in Michigan's 7th Congressional District and a former Army helicopter pilot who previously served in the Michigan House and Senate.
William Lawrence
Lawrence is a Democratic candidate who co-founded the Sunrise Movement and the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition.
Donald Trump
Trump is the current President of the United States, who has endorsed Barrett in the race.
The details
Barrett, a former Army helicopter pilot with the Michigan Army National Guard who has served in the Michigan House and Senate, has been endorsed by Donald Trump, Club for Growth PAC and Americans for Prosperity Action. Lawrence, who co-founded the Sunrise Movement and several Michigan tenant coalitions, is running on universal healthcare, workers' rights, affordable housing and childcare, with endorsements from Bernie Sanders, the Michigan AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers.
Timeline
- April 25, 2026: Green Party convention nominates Shane Dedrick.
- July 15, 2026: Campaign finance totals show Barrett with $6.3 million raised and Lawrence with $1.2 million.
- September 2026: Forecasters rate the race Lean Democratic or Toss-up.
- November 3, 2026: Midterm election in Michigan's 7th District.
Political Context
Barrett narrowly won the district in 2024 by 3.7 points over Curtis Hertel, and the 2026 race pits him against a progressive challenger backed by Bernie Sanders and labor unions. Opposition to Barrett's record and endorsements has centered on the same tenant-rights and labor issues that Lawrence has championed.
Voters in Michigan's 7th District will choose between Barrett and Lawrence on November 3, 2026. The result will determine who represents the district in the U.S. House for the next term.
The takeaway
Voters in Michigan's 7th District face a clear choice between an incumbent with military and legislative experience and a challenger focused on housing, healthcare and labor. Following the November 3 results will show how competitive the seat remains.
Further reading
For more on the parties competing in this race, see Political Parties coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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