William Lawrence won the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, handing the progressive wing of the party a victory in a race that could help determine House control.
Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement climate activist group, won the three-way primary with nearly 40 percent of the vote. Centrist Democrats Brink and Maasdam garnered 32 percent and 28 percent, respectively, based on partial results from Eaton, Oakland and Livingston counties compiled by The Detroit News.
Decision Desk HQ and The Associated Press projected Lawrence as the winner.
Lawrence will now face Rep. Barrett, a Republican who holds a competitive seat in the Lansing-based district. Democrats need to flip seats like the 7th to win back the House majority.
The general election will test whether a progressive candidate can win in a district that both parties regard as a prime target.
