Progressive Will Lawrence wins key Michigan House primary in blow to Dem leaders

Axios reports that Will Lawrence, a Sunrise Movement co-founder, has won the Democratic primary for Michigan's seventh district, defeating Bridget Brink, a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and Matt Maasdam, a Navy veteran and former military aide to President Obama. The seat is a key target for Democrats in November, but party leaders worry Lawrence's left-leaning politics could hurt him against Republican incumbent Tom Barrett—a concern progressives dispute as outdated. This unfolded exactly as party leaders feared: Brink and Maasdam split the moderate vote, allowing Lawrence to win. He's one of several progressive candidates who've beaten establishment-backed opponents in competitive swing districts this cycle.

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