BRIGHTON, Mich.—Progressive Democrat and climate activist William Lawrence defeated first-time Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) in an upset victory on Nov. 3, flipping a bellwether district that houses the state capital.
The win adds one more congressional seat to Democrats’ growing tally of pickups as they hope to reclaim control of the House this year.
The Associated Press called the race just after 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, with Lawrence leading Barrett by 3.3 points. The Democrat’s performance over Barrett is also a stunning victory for progressives, who won a series of primaries and races in blue cities and districts over the past year, but had yet to prove themselves in a swing district like Michigan’s 7th….