Fears are fueling progressive Democrat's campaign in Michigan's 7th Congressional District

Concerns about AI and new data-center proposals are fueling the campaign of progressive Democrat Will Lawrence in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, a politically even swing area. Republicans Emerson Hyde and Dan Ewart met outside a contentious city council meeting in Mason and were surprised by Lawrence’s prominence in opposing a potential AI data center project, despite attempts to portray him nationally as an emblem of Democratic radicalism. Lawrence, 36, has called for pausing AI development amid fears it could eliminate humanity and has urged halting data-center construction. Incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Barrett seeks a second term, arguing Lawrence is using data centers to distract from his positions on abolishing police and border policy. The district’s last Democrat was Sen. Elissa Slotkin, viewed as moderate.