Sunrise Movement co-founder defeats establishment-backed Dems in pivotal Michigan race

The far-left insurgency within the Democratic Party scored another victory on Tuesday night, with a co-founder of the progressive Sunrise Movement trouncing two establishment-backed Democrats in a contentious Michigan primary.

William Lawrence defeated former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam to win the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, anchored in Lansing.

Lawrence will now go on to face Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., a military veteran who is seeking a second term in Congress this November.

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Barrett ran unopposed in the Republican primary after winning the seat in an open race in 2024. It was previously held by Democrat Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who vacated it when she successfully ran for Senate that year.

Lawrence’s victory is a commanding win in the wider civil war for the soul of the Democratic Party, with battles being waged across the country.

Mike Marinella, spokesman for House Republicans’ campaign arm the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Fox News Digital after Lawrence’s victory, “The Democrats’ path to the House majority is evaporating in real time. Every embarrassing defeat leaves them with a radical socialist nominee, an emptier bank account, and another must-win seat off the board.”

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The establishment left’s main opponent has been the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has not endorsed a candidate in this race. 

But Lawrence does have backing from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., his fellow Michigan Democrat and a prominent DSA member who’s stirred controversy for her comments about Israel.

He was also endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described democratic socialist.

The Sunrise Movement, which Lawrence co-founded in 2017, began as a youth-focused climate activist group that pushed the Green New Deal alongside progressives in Congress.

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Since then, its non-climate policy platform has included calls to get Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of U.S. cities and abolishing police, according to its website.

Lawrence’s victory is likely the best outcome for Republicans, who are fighting a nationwide uphill battle to keep control of the House of Representatives.