William Lawrence nets support from U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna in Michigan 7 primary

William Lawrence, a Lansing area political organizer seeking the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, has received a second nod in as many days from a sitting member of Congress.

Following an endorsement Wednesday from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Lawrence on Thursday was also endorsed by U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California), who threw his support behind Lawrence’s campaign, saying in a statement,  “I’m proud to endorse Will Lawrence because he has the courage to stand up against Wall Street and the pro-war lobby, and fight for working people.”

Serving his fifth term in the U.S. House, the Silicon Valley progressive previously advocated for Green New Deal policies alongside Lawrence and the youth-led Sunrise Movement, which Lawrence co-founded. 

“Congressman Khanna models the kind of leadership we need in Congress,” Lawrence said in a statement. “He works across the aisle to hold the rich and powerful accountable. Like me, he believes no one should be above the law, regardless of what party is next to their name.”

Alongside Tlaib and Khanna, Lawrence has gathered support from state Reps. Kara Hope (D-Holt) and Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), former state Rep. Lynn Jondahl, and several local officials from throughout the district. 

Lawrence faces former Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam in the primary, with each candidate seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte). 

Brink carries her own congressional endorsement, receiving the nod from U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), as well as support from state Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), state Reps. Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph).

Maasdam has received endorsements from End Citizens United, and labor groups including the Michigan Pipe Trades Association, Teamsters Local 243 and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union.