Dems vie to face Republican in Mid-Michigan swing district

Three Democrats are competing to retake Michigan’s 7th Congressional District in a primary on Aug. 4, aiming to challenge incumbent Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) in November. The district is considered a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report and includes all of Clinton, Ingham, Livingston and Shiawassee counties, plus parts of Eaton, Genesee and Oakland counties. Barrett won the seat in 2024 with 50.28% of the vote versus 46.56% for former Democratic state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., after previously losing a 2022 bid to then-U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin. The Democratic candidates are Bridget Brink, William Lawrence and Matt Maasdam. Brink, from the Lansing area, spent 28 years in the U.S. Foreign Service and served as ambassador to Ukraine, resigning in April 2025. Lawrence co-founded the Sunrise Movement and related Michigan tenant and rent advocacy groups. Maasdam, from Brighton, is a former Navy SEAL and co-founded two e-commerce businesses. The primary determines who will face Barrett, while the article notes a nonpartisan Vote411.org voter guide partnership and describes candidates’ questionnaire responses on issues including health care.