Candidates Visit Michigan State University
Will Lawrence and Rashida Harrison engage with student organizations to boost turnout before the November election.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Political Parties
Live Poll
Do you believe student activism has a meaningful impact on the results of local elections?
Student groups at Michigan State University hosted a meet-the-candidates event featuring Will Lawrence and Rashida Harrison. Both candidates aim to secure support in the final weeks of the 2026 general election.
Why it matters
The event focuses on amplifying student voices and driving voter turnout. It reflects the candidates' broader strategy to engage younger voters in a highly competitive political landscape.
The U.S. House race involving Will Lawrence has already attracted over $51 million in funding. Candidates are currently preparing for the general election in November 2026, with Lawrence noting the contest may be decided in the final 15 days.
The players
Will Lawrence
He is an East Lansing native, a graduate of East Lansing High School, and a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement.
Rashida Harrison
She holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and served as an instructor of Social Relations and Policy at James Madison College for over a decade.
Tom Barrett
He is the political opponent currently competing against Will Lawrence in a U.S. House race with significant funding.
The details
Organizations including Spartans for Will, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Sunrise MSU, and Student Workers United co-hosted the event. Rashida Harrison leveraged her background as a long-time instructor at James Madison College to discuss policy during her six months of student outreach.
Timeline
August 2026: Will Lawrence and Rashida Harrison won their respective Democratic primaries.
October 20, 2026: The candidate meeting event was reported.
November 2026: The general election is scheduled to take place.
Political Context
Opponents often argue that student-focused mobilization efforts like those seen at Michigan State University are geographically limited and may not translate to broader electoral victory across diverse districts. Critics frequently emphasize that such events rely heavily on specific ideological youth coalitions, potentially alienating moderate or older voting blocks.
Local residents and students may see increased campaign activity, including events and canvassing, as the November election approaches. These efforts specifically target voter turnout rates and policy engagement within the university community.
The takeaway
Engaging directly with student organizations is a key strategy for candidates aiming to secure support in the final sprint of an election. Voters should track final campaign events to understand how different policy platforms may affect the local district.
Further reading
For more on local campaigning, visit the Political Parties section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State News.
Live Poll
Do you believe student activism has a meaningful impact on the results of local elections?
