Outside Money Floods Michigan 7th District Primary, Threatening Democratic Pickup

Democrats once believed the 7th District of Michigan offered a clear path to capture a Republican seat, with former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam and former ambassador Bridget Brink as the leading nominees. The entry of progressive activist William Lawrence, backed by a freshly created Michigan Sunrise super-PAC, has introduced more than $500,000 in television ads that attack Maasdam as a dark-money-supported former Republican and promote Lawrence’s endorsement by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

All three candidates issued a joint statement denouncing the influence of outside money, which they allege is funded by GOP interests. Additional spending from a Democratic-aligned group, Michigan Values PAC, has targeted Brink with ads highlighting her service under President Donald Trump. As the Aug. 4 primary approaches, polling remains sparse and many voters are undecided, leaving the possibility that a plurality could hand the nomination to Lawrence if the moderate vote splits. The district, currently held by Rep. Tom Barrett, is one of fourteen Republican seats the Cook Political Report deems a toss-up for the upcoming midterms.