William Lawrence is running for you, not the corporations 

By William Lawrence 

I am running for Congress to stop AI data centers, invest in good housing and healthcare, and stop Trump’s disastrous war in Iran that has sent our gas and grocery prices through the roof. 

Michigan needs a true representative in Congress, someone unbought by corporate CEOs and independent of party bosses. I will be that representative. Mid-Michigan is my home. I grew up in East Lansing, graduated from East Lansing High School, and live in Lansing.

I am running for Congress to represent, serve, and strengthen the community that raised me, at a time when powerful interests are trying to tear us apart. I have a track record of taking on the rich and powerful, and winning. 

As a non-profit leader, I helped to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which has delivered over $3 billion in investment for manufacturing jobs in the 7th district. I stood up to Wall Street firms trying to kick Lansing families out of their homes, and I delivered investment for more affordable housing here in the 7th district. 

I’ve been a vocal critic of politicians from both parties who have placed out-of-state corporate interests over Mid-Michigan communities. 

My opponent, Tom Barrett, can’t say the same.

Data center developers spent nearly $1 million to elect Barrett in 2024. To return the favor, Barrett gave them billions of dollars in tax breaks — and paid for it by cutting our healthcare funding. 

Barrett also voted to ban local municipalities from regulating AI or data centers for the next 10 years. Now he’s lying about his record to try to hide the fact that he rolled out the red carpet for Big Tech. 

Meanwhile, I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with residents at public meetings in Howell Township, Lyon Township, Mason, and Lansing to fight back against data center developers. 

After seeing how Big Tech was manipulating and bullying its way into small towns, I became one of the first candidates in the country to call for a moratorium on AI data center development. I recently released my Stop Tech Overreach Plan, which calls for a pause on data centers and advanced AI development, followed by a national AI Benefits Compact. 

AI could benefit all of us, but right now, the rich and powerful are using it to get richer and more powerful, while the rest of us are being taken advantage of. My plan will ensure that Michigan’s people and water are not sacrificed to build data centers. It also prevents AI-powered Flock surveillance, AI-enabled denials of medical claims, and AI usage in elementary classrooms, which poses a serious risk to our children’s literacy, critical thinking, and social skills. 

I am tired of our district not having a representative in DC. 

During his time in office, Barrett has only represented Donald Trump and his billionaire donors. Barrett has voted with Trump 99% of the time — including to fund the disastrous war in Iran. 

I have not waited to reach Washington to serve our community. When Barrett voted with Trump to cut SNAP benefits to Michiganders, I held a 30-hour food drive and vigil outside his office and fed thousands of Mid-Michigan families. 

When he voted to roll back the Affordable Care Act, I held a fundraiser that eliminated $130,000 in local medical debt. Since my opponent refuses to hold town halls and appear publicly in front of his constituents, I held an eight-hour “ask my anything” outside his office. 

As your Congressman, I will always be available, accessible, and responsive. 

Our people-powered campaign has activated over a thousand volunteers and knocked on over 100,000 doors. We are building a campaign of the people, by the people, and for the people. You can join in by dropping into our campaign office at 3024 E. Michigan Ave! We’re open from 1-9 PM any day. 

All are welcome, regardless of your experience or skill set. 

All of this is why the most powerful corporations and Donald Trump are spending millions to buy this election, including by spreading ridiculous lies and smears about me. 

They are afraid of the movement we are building right here in mid-Michigan. You can count on me to fight for you, because I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money. 

That is why I am endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO, the United Auto Workers, IBEW Local 665, National Nurses United, and dozens of other unions, community groups and local public servants. It is time to turn the page on the endless wars and brazen corruption. 

I’m fighting to build a Michigan we can afford, a future we can look forward to, and a country we can be proud of. It would be an honor to earn your vote and to serve you as your Congressman.