---
title: "Lawrence vs. Barrett: 2026 Michigan’s 7th District race"
url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-mi-07"
updated: "2026-10-01"
source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim"
publisher: "Pluribus"
---

# 2026 Michigan’s 7th District race: William Lawrence (D) vs. Tom Barrett (R)

Rating: Toss-up · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026

Incumbent Republican Tom Barrett faces Democratic nominee William Lawrence in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, a key 2026 battleground election that could determine control of the U.S. House. Barrett, a 22-year U.S. Army veteran who flipped the district in 2024, is running on his military service, economic relief, border security, and legislative record. Lawrence, a community organizer and co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, is campaigning on progressive economic policies, Medicare for All, housing reform, labor rights, and halting foreign military intervention.

## Candidates

- **William Lawrence** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](http://www.wewill2026.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)
- **Tom Barrett** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

## Issues

### Housing & Cost of Living

Salience: high

Lawrence calls for major federal housing investments and a tenant bill of rights to control corporate landlords, while Barrett favors deregulating construction and restricting private equity purchases of single-family homes.

**William Lawrence:** Supports federal housing investments and tenant rights

Lawrence identifies high rent and mortgage costs as primary economic burdens on working families. He advocates for major federal investment in quality, mixed-income housing models and a federal tenant bill of rights to curb price-gouging by Wall Street landlords.

- Pass a federal tenant bill of rights to level the playing field between renters and Wall Street landlords.
- Expand federal investments in quality mixed-income housing developments.
- Implement a 'Housing First' approach to end homelessness through rapid, transitional, and permanent supportive housing.

> “I support a federal tenant bill of rights that would level the playing field between tenants and price-gouging landlords.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “We need major federal investment in quality housing, at all price points.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Cut construction regulations and restrict private equity

Barrett focuses on lowering housing costs by eliminating excessive regulatory barriers to construction and expanding opportunities for first-time buyers. He opposes private equity firms buying up single-family homes and opposes government corporate welfare subsidies.

- Cut unnecessary regulatory barriers to lower housing construction costs.
- Address private equity firm practices buying up single-family homes.
- Expand opportunities and access for first-time homebuyers.

> “I'll always put Michigan ahead of political party to make raising a family a little more affordable, stopping Wall Street from buying our family homes, and lowering your taxes.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

> “We need to make housing more affordable by cutting unnecessary barriers to construction, expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers, and addressing practices that drive up the cost of housing.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

### Healthcare

Salience: high

Lawrence supports replacing private health insurance with universal Medicare for All, whereas Barrett advocates for market transparency, Health Savings Accounts, and holding insurers accountable.

**William Lawrence:** Supports Medicare for All

Lawrence advocates for single-payer Medicare for All to remove profit motives from health insurance and guarantee coverage for every American. He criticizes Barrett for voting to cut Medicaid access for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders.

- Enact Medicare for All to guarantee healthcare regardless of employment status.
- Eliminate insurance and pharmaceutical middlemen profit motives.
- Defend and expand Medicaid funding against federal budget cuts.

> “I support Medicare for All, which would remove the profit motive from health insurance and allow us all to access quality care, for a lower price.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “Tom Barrett voted to kick up to 700,000 Michiganders off of Medicaid.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Expand health savings accounts and price transparency

Barrett advocates market-based healthcare reforms that increase pricing transparency, expand access to Health Savings Accounts, and increase patient choice. He supports holding insurers accountable for unfairly denying legitimate patient claims.

- Expand access to affordable Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- Increase price transparency across drug manufacturers and insurance companies.
- Hold insurance middlemen accountable when they deny legitimate claims.

> “We need serious reforms that increase transparency, expand access to affordable health savings accounts, and give patients more control over how they spend their health care dollars.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

### Foreign Policy & Military Affairs

Salience: high

Lawrence advocates halting U.S. arms sales to Israel and cutting military spending, while Barrett focuses on repealing open-ended war authorizations while maintaining military deterrence and putting American security interests first.

**William Lawrence:** End endless wars and halt military aid to Israel

Lawrence strongly opposes foreign military interventions and excessive defense spending, arguing overseas expenditures shortchange domestic needs. He calls for ending foreign wars, halting weapons shipments to Israel, and resolving international conflicts through diplomacy.

- Stop U.S. arms sales to Israel and other human rights violators.
- End military escalation and the war on Iran.
- Redirect foreign military spending toward domestic healthcare, housing, and social programs.

> “Every dollar we spend blowing things up and killing people abroad is a dollar we don’t spend building housing and caring for people at home.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “Most urgently, we must stop arming Israel, which is pursuing a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza with U.S. weapons and tax dollars.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Repeal open-ended war authorizations and put American interests first

As a 22-year Army veteran, Barrett calls for a foreign policy focused on clear national security objectives, protecting military lives, and holding allies accountable. He advocates repealing open-ended Congressional war authorizations and avoiding unconstitutional endless wars.

- Repeal open-ended war authorizations and replace them with clearly defined missions and limits.
- Require foreign allies to carry their fair share of global defense burdens.
- Prioritize American national security interests and military readiness.

> “Congress should repeal open-ended war authorizations and replace them with clearly defined missions, objectives, and limits.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

> “I promise to put American interests and the protection of American lives at the forefront of our foreign policy, not political-pandering and weakness.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

### Immigration & Border Security

Salience: high

Lawrence advocates stopping ICE raids and establishing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, whereas Barrett supports border wall construction, strict deportation legislation, and voter citizenship proof requirements.

**William Lawrence:** End ICE neighborhood raids and create path to citizenship

Lawrence criticizes ICE enforcement practices as unconstitutional occupations of local communities. He supports establishing a pathway to legal citizenship for undocumented immigrants to level labor standards and protect all workers from exploitation.

- Halt ICE operations and neighborhood enforcement raids in local communities.
- Establish a comprehensive pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
- Hold ICE accountable for unconstitutional conduct.

> “ICE is occupying American cities and raiding neighborhoods in the 7th District, sweeping up innocent people whose only crime is trying to build a better life.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “I support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, in order to level the playing field for all workers in the United States, and raise wages for everybody.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Complete border wall, enforce laws, and support SAVE Act

Barrett prioritizes securing the southern border, completing the border wall, and giving law enforcement the tools to stop illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. In the 119th Congress, he voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), and DUI deportation legislation (H.R. 875).

- Complete physical barrier construction along the southern border.
- Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections.
- Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) and DUI deportation legislation (H.R. 875) to mandate detention and deportation for specified offenses.

> “Our Southern Border is out-of-control and has been for too long.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

> “I will also work to complete the border wall, which has worked successfully in places like the California-Mexico border...”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

### Labor & Economy

Salience: high

Lawrence supports the PRO Act and a wealth tax on billionaires, while Barrett opposes net tax increases, advocates cutting federal spending, and rejects taxpayer-funded corporate subsidies.

**William Lawrence:** Pass PRO Act and enact billionaire minimum tax

Lawrence champions labor unions as essential for worker protection and fair wages, endorsing the PRO Act to hold corporations accountable for labor violations. He proposes a billionaire minimum wealth tax to fund public services and level the economic playing field.

- Pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to protect workers forming unions.
- Enact a billionaire minimum wealth tax to ensure mega-wealthy individuals pay higher tax rates.
- Ensure small businesses do not pay higher tax rates than multinational corporations.

> “I support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which lowers barriers to unionization by holding corporations accountable for labor law violations.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “I support a billionaire minimum tax, which is a minimum wealth tax rate that the mega-wealthy must pay.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Cut government spending, lower taxes, and oppose corporate welfare

Barrett focuses on reducing inflation through government spending cuts, tax relief, and pro-growth trade policies. He strongly opposes taxpayer subsidies for giant corporations, highlighting his legislative record opposing corporate welfare payouts.

- Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose net tax increases.
- Cut federal government spending to curb inflation.
- Oppose taxpayer subsidies and corporate welfare handouts for large corporations.

> “Hardworking taxpayers struggling to pay their own bills do not want politicians using their money for corporate subsidies.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

> “It’s time to rein in inflation once and for all. That means cutting government spending, lowering taxes, and putting America First in our trade policies.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

### Veterans Affairs

Salience: medium

Lawrence emphasizes preventing VA federal workforce layoffs and expanding veteran housing assistance, while Barrett highlights his military service and leadership on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee expanding Guard and disabled veteran benefits.

**William Lawrence:** Protect VA staffing and expand veteran housing and healthcare

Lawrence pledges to protect the Veterans Administration from federal budget cuts and proposed workforce layoffs. He focuses on guaranteeing quality healthcare, constituent services, and housing support for all veterans.

- Oppose proposed federal workforce layoffs at the V.A.
- Ensure veterans receive quality housing and full healthcare access.
- Maintain strong constituent services dedicated to navigating veteran benefits.

> “Trump and Musk want to lay off 80,000 V.A. workers, which would seriously diminish the quality of service and veterans’ ability to access benefits.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “In defending the V.A., and in my own constituent services, I will work to honor the promise made to our veterans, especially by ensuring that they have good housing and healthcare.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Expand benefits for disabled veterans and Guard members

A 22-year Army veteran who serves as Chairman of the House Technology Modernization Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Barrett focuses on expanding benefits for severely disabled veterans, Gold Star families, and Guard/Reserve members.

- Expand VA home-loan eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members.
- Increase federal benefits for severely disabled veterans and Gold Star families.
- Improve VA healthcare access and technological navigation.

> “I’m passionate about making sure veterans and their families receive the benefits, health care, and opportunities they earned through their service.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

### Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Salience: medium

Lawrence advocates codifying abortion rights into federal law, whereas Barrett holds a pro-life record and supports legal restrictions on abortion.

**William Lawrence:** Codify abortion rights in federal law

Lawrence strongly supports reproductive freedom, advocating for federal legislation to codify the right to abortion. He views abortion access as a private personal decision and criticizes government restrictions as attempts at political control.

- Pass federal legislation codifying the right to choose an abortion.
- Protect access to reproductive healthcare services nationwide.
- Oppose governmental restrictions on personal family planning choices.

> “I will defend women’s right to choose an abortion, and seek to codify this right in federal law.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “Reproductive healthcare is a deeply personal decision for each family. Attempts to insert government into this matter are not about morality — they’re about control.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Oppose abortion and support pro-life restrictions

Barrett maintains a consistent pro-life record from his state legislative tenure and support from Right to Life of Michigan PAC. He opposes late-term abortions, taxpayer funding for abortion procedures, and policies that eliminate parental notification.

- Consistently maintained a pro-life voting record in the Michigan Legislature.
- Opposes taxpayer-funded abortions and policies removing parental consent requirements.
- Endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan PAC.

> “While Senator Barrett has been a consistent pro-life state legislator, Elissa Slotkin supports some of the most extreme abortion policies of anyone in Congress.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

### Energy & Environment

Salience: medium

Lawrence champions clean energy investments and a moratorium on new data centers, while Barrett calls for expanding domestic oil drilling, pipelines, and fossil fuel production.

**William Lawrence:** Transition to clean energy and freeze new data centers

As a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, Lawrence advocates for major investments in renewable energy to fight climate change and lower utility bills. He proposes a 12-month federal moratorium on new data centers and strict protections for Michigan's water and natural resources.

- Institute a 12-month federal moratorium on new data centers.
- Secure federal clean energy investments to combat climate change and reduce electric bills.
- Restore wetlands, rivers, and Great Lakes water quality while holding polluters accountable.

> “I will fight for investment to secure the climate we depend on, adapt to the changes we can’t prevent, and finally drive our electric bills down.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “Pass a 12-month federal moratorium on new data centers”
> — William Lawrence, via [Campaign site](http://www.wewill2026.com/)

**Tom Barrett:** Expand domestic oil drilling and pipeline capacity

Barrett advocates for American energy independence to lower consumer fuel and heating costs. He supports expanding domestic energy production, opening oil pipelines, and increasing domestic offshore and onshore drilling.

- Expand domestic oil and gas drilling.
- Approve and open energy pipeline infrastructure.
- Achieve total U.S. energy independence to lower gas prices at the pump.

> “Make America energy independent again. Gas prices are at record highs and Americans are feeling the pain at the pump. I will work to expand America's energy production, open pipelines, increase drilling, and end our reliance on foreign oil.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

### Education

Salience: medium

Lawrence focuses on increasing federal funding for public universities, trade schools, and community colleges, whereas Barrett prioritizes expanding parental rights and restricting progressive curricula in schools.

**William Lawrence:** Defend public universities, community colleges, and trade schools

Lawrence focuses on protecting funding and political independence for public institutions like Michigan State University against federal conservative attacks. He promotes debt-free vocational training, community colleges, and public K-12 literacy education.

- Defend long-term funding and political independence for public universities including MSU.
- Expand support for community colleges and blue-collar trade school programs.
- Protect K-12 public education literacy standards against corporate AI encroachment.

> “We need to defend the political independence and long-term funding of Michigan State and other public universities across the country.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “In higher education, we need to not only support 4-year universities, but community colleges and trade schools as well.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Expand parental rights and eliminate woke curricula

Barrett argues public school bureaucracies and teachers' unions have overstepped by undermining parental authority. He advocates removing Critical Race Theory (CRT) and gender ideology from classrooms and voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28).

- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28) regarding school athletic participation.
- Protect parental rights in educational decision-making against school bureaucracy.
- Focus K-12 curricula on fundamental academics rather than progressive social indoctrination.

> “Our schools should spend less time on progressive and woke indoctrination, and more time focused on educating our children and keeping them safe.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

### Crime & Public Safety

Salience: medium

Lawrence focuses public safety priorities on prosecuting corporate tax evasion and elite financial crimes, while Barrett advocates increasing funding and backing for police officers and prosecutors.

**William Lawrence:** Prosecute financial crimes and reform law enforcement conduct

Lawrence redefines public safety around holding corrupt politicians, human traffickers, and corporate actors accountable under the rule of law. He calls for prosecuting high-level financial crimes and preventing unconstitutional law enforcement actions.

- Prosecute elite human trafficking and tax evasion.
- Hold federal law enforcement agencies accountable for constitutional violations.
- Focus criminal justice efforts on corporate wrongdoers rather than vulnerable communities.

> “Prosecute the Epstein class for human trafficking & tax evasion”
> — William Lawrence, via [Campaign site](http://www.wewill2026.com/)

> “Hold ICE accountable for unconstitutional conduct”
> — William Lawrence, via [Campaign site](http://www.wewill2026.com/)

**Tom Barrett:** Fully fund law enforcement and back prosecutors

Barrett strongly supports law enforcement officers and opposes efforts to defund police departments or prosecutors. Endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan, he emphasizes backing law enforcement to reverse rising local crime rates.

- Oppose all efforts to defund police departments or local prosecutors.
- Endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
- Sponsored record state police budget allocations during his state legislative tenure.

> “Years of attacks on our law enforcement and under-funding of our police has led to the highest crime in decades.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Barrett_%28Michigan%29)

> “I’ve consistently supported the men and women in public safety.”
> — Tom Barrett, via [Campaign site](https://tombarrettforcongress.com/)

### Technology, AI & Governance

Salience: low

Lawrence supports banning congressional stock trading and regulating Big Tech AI surveillance, while Barrett's record includes voting for digital stablecoin frameworks and limiting nationwide judicial injunctions.

**William Lawrence:** Regulate Big Tech AI and ban congressional stock trading

Lawrence calls for strict federal oversight of Big Tech corporations regarding AI misinformation and data surveillance. He also supports prohibiting stock trading by members of Congress and executive branch officials to eliminate conflicts of interest.

- Ban stock trading by members of Congress and executive branch officials.
- Regulate Big Tech corporate surveillance and data collection practices.
- Address negative labor and mental health impacts driven by AI technologies.

> “Ban stock trading by members of Congress & the executive branch”
> — William Lawrence, via [Campaign site](http://www.wewill2026.com/)

> “We need to squarely face the negative impacts of AI and surveillance, and question whether we want Big Tech making the biggest decisions about shared future.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** Establish stablecoin regulation and limit judicial injunctions

In the 119th Congress, Barrett voted for governance and transparency measures including the GENIUS Act (S. 1582) to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, the NORRA Act (H.R. 1526) limiting nationwide judicial injunctions, and the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405).

- Voted for the GENIUS Act (S. 1582) regulating payment stablecoins.
- Voted for the NORRA Act (H.R. 1526) limiting federal district court injunction authority.
- Voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) requiring DOJ document publication.

### Social Security & Family Care

Salience: medium

**William Lawrence:** Lift payroll tax cap and establish national family care agenda

Lawrence promises to defend Social Security against proposed spending cuts by lifting the payroll tax cap on high earners. He also advocates for a National Family Care Agenda providing paid family leave, expanded Pre-K, and elder care support.

- Lift the Social Security payroll tax cap to secure solvent benefit funding.
- Pass paid family leave and expand access to universal Pre-K.
- Expand home health care options and federal support for senior care.

> “I support lifting the payroll tax cap, which would guarantee social security for our seniors now, and all of us in the future.”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

> “I will support a National Family Care Agenda that supports families at every stage of their lives together, including Paid Family Leave, expanded Pre-K...”
> — William Lawrence, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lawrence_%28Michigan%29)

**Tom Barrett:** No documented position in our sources

## Polls and markets

_Updated Oct 31._

- [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/mi-07-house-election-winner) — MI-07 House Election Winner: Democrats 78.0%, Republicans 22.0%
- [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSEMI7-26) — MI-07 House winner?: William Lawrence 77.0%, Tom Barrett 24.0%
- [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXMIPRIMARY-07D26) — MI-07 Democratic nominee?: William Lawrence 99.0%, Matt Maasdam 1.0%, Bridget Brink 1.0%

[View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-mi-07)