Barrett Says Socialist Rival Should Be Disqualified in Michigan's 7th as House Control Hangs on 1 Seat
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 19
Barrett Says Socialist Rival Should Be Disqualified in Michigan's 7th as House Control Hangs on 1 Seat
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 19
Summary
Tom Barrett cast Michigan's 7th District race as a referendum on William Lawrence's past positions, saying the Democrat's socialist politics should disqualify him in one of the country's tightest House contests.
Lawrence's old posts backed abolishing police, endorsed effectively open borders and called the nuclear family "an isolating, violent" structure; Barrett says Lawrence's recent moderation is election-year expediency.
Barrett tied those views to public safety and fentanyl, arguing looser border policies would revive gang activity and overdose deaths, while also highlighting a Lawrence post telling former Sen. Joe Manchin to "hurry up and die."
The freshman Republican, who narrowly won the district in 2024, is also attacking Lawrence's ties to the Democratic Socialists of America and climate activism as he argues the race could help decide House control.