Local tenants’ activist announces Democratic congressional bid for MI-7

Self-described ‘coalition builder’ focused on climate, tenants’ rights and having an accessible congressional office

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 — Over 150 gathered at the Allen Neighborhood Center yesterday evening to kick off the congressional campaign of William Lawrence, a local activist and organizer.

“When I think about the tenants that I work with who are already teetering on the edge of hunger and homelessness, I know we have to do more to stand up to the bullies and the billionaires who have taken over our government,” Lawrence, 35, said to applause.

Lawrence recalled his experience as an activist and organizer as he announced his entry into the race for the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, which includes all of Ingham and Clinton counties and parts of Eaton. Lawrence is a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement climate action group and is perhaps best known locally for creating the local The Rent Is Too Damn High chapter.

He joins an already packed race. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink announced her campaign in June. Former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam and Michigan State University professor Josh Cowen followed suit, with perennial candidate Muhammad Salman Rais and LGBTQ+ activist Samuel “Elyon Badger” Smeltzer throwing their hats in, too.

They are all vying for the chance to face Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, who has drawn criticism for his refusal to hold in-person town halls and whom Democrats have accused of being a rank-and-file Trump follower unfit to represent a purple district.

Lawrence touched on a variety of topics in his speech, including the climate, tenants’ rights, access to healthcare and Israel’s war in Gaza, which he called a “genocide.” He also made a point to discuss his commitment to being accessible, which he accused Barrett of failing to do.

“Tom Barrett is hiding from the voters,” he said. “He won’t even show his face around here.”

Lawrence invoked being native to the area as he tried to set himself apart from the opposition, even having his former East Lansing High School English teacher Josie Wojtowicz open the event.

“I’m going up against two out-of-district candidates who have never lived here and have elite political backers from Washington, D.C.,” Lawrence said, referencing Brink, who recently moved to Lansing, and Maasdam, who lives in Ann Arbor.

Lawrence said in an interview before the event that his campaign had no formal endorsements yet. But it was clear from an audience that included Lansing City Council candidate Julie Vandenboom, mayoral candidate Kelsea Hector and Greater Lansing Democratic Socialists of America co-chair Sam Nelson that his campaign will strike a chord with local activists.

“It’s a room full of activists,” said local climate activist Nichole Keway Biber.

Nelson said there was no formal affiliation between Lawrence’s campaign and the Greater Lansing DSA but that they were on similar footing.

“I think what he’s running on can win in swing districts, and it gets overlooked,” Nelson said.

“What does the Democratic coalition look like when Democrats win?” Lawrence asked. “It’s young voters, its workers and tenants, it’s workers and tenants, it’s women of all ages, it’s anti-war voters, it’s rural Michiganders, and it’s communities of faith.”

“I know we can reach all of those communities and if the people in this room put our minds together and put our shoes on and get out there and do the work, it starts today.”