U.S. House · Michigan's 7th District

South-central Michigan, including Lansing's suburbs and Eaton, Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee and Jackson counties.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 18 claims re-checked against their sources · 3 corrected · 0 removed

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • Context claim (2024 result, battleground rating) cited only s1, but the static fetch of s1 doesn't render that content; added s2 (Barrett's Ballotpedia page, which does contain it) as an additional source.
  • Fixed s2b source: its url pointed to tombarrettforcongress.com but the quoted priorities/positions text only appears on Barrett's Ballotpedia page (Candidate Connection survey); repointed url to ballotpedia.org and relabeled.
  • Fixed s3b source the same way for Lawrence: repointed url from wewill2026.com to Lawrence's Ballotpedia page, where the quoted priorities/positions text actually appears.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUETom Barrett
R
William Lawrence
D
Shane Dedrick
G
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[6][7][8][9]votes——
Stronger rent regulation and tenant protections—Supports[5]—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[7][8][9]votesSupports[5]—
Expand public health coverageOpposes[7][8][9][10]votesSupports[5]—
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[7][8][9]votesSupports[5]—
Increase police funding and staffingSupports[3]——
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[11]votes——

The candidates, in full

Tom Barrett

RINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2025)

Tom Barrett is the Republican incumbent, seeking a second term. He is a U.S. Army veteran and former Michigan state senator running on his record in office and military background.[1]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • NoResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • NoBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • YesGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.

On the record — official actions

  • actionAssigned to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (chairing the Technology Modernization subcommittee) and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[2]
  • actionChaired the Michigan State Senate's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.[2]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[6][7][8][9]

    What they say: Supports securing the border and stopping the flow of fentanyl.[3]

    “Our Southern Border is out-of-control and has been for too long... the flow of fentanyl into our communities is now the #1 killer of Americans age 18-45.”
  • SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing

    Says under-funding of police has contributed to rising crime and supports increased backing for law enforcement.[3]

    “Years of attacks on our law enforcement and under-funding of our police has led to the highest crime in decades... It's time to make our streets safe again.”
  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[7][8][9]

    What they say: Supports expanding oil and gas production and pipelines rather than a faster transition away from fossil fuels.[3]

    “I will work to expand America's energy production, open pipelines, increase drilling, and end our reliance on foreign oil.”
  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[7][8][9][10]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[7][8][9]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[11]

In their words — priorities

  • Cutting inflation by opposing what he calls reckless federal spending, to lower the cost of living.[3]
  • Expanding U.S. energy production, including pipelines and drilling, to reduce reliance on foreign oil.[3]
  • Securing the border and increasing support for law enforcement.[3]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University.[2]
  • Served in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and serving as a helicopter pilot in the Michigan Army National Guard.[2]
  • Served in the Michigan State Senate before his 2024 election to the U.S. House, chairing the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $6.3M · spent $3.5M · $2.9M cash on hand (through 2026-07-15) FEC filing ↗

William Lawrence

D

William Lawrence is a tenant-organizing and climate activist making his first run for Congress, campaigning on housing affordability, Medicare for All and climate action.[1]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections

    Supports a federal tenant bill of rights and greater investment in affordable housing.[5]

    “I also support a federal tenant bill of rights that would level the playing field between tenants and price-gouging landlords.”
  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Supports Medicare for All.[5]

    “I support Medicare for All, which would remove the profit motive from health insurance and allow us all to access quality care, for a lower price.”
  • SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations

    Supports a minimum tax on billionaires.[5]

    “I support a billionaire minimum tax, which is a minimum wealth tax rate that the mega-wealthy must pay.”
  • SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels

    Campaigns on defending against climate change and says utilities have sabotaged the clean-energy transition.[5]

    “I saw first-hand how Big Utilities have sabotaged the clean energy transition so they can keep getting rich off our monthly gas and electric bills.”

In their words — priorities

  • Major federal investment in affordable housing and a federal tenant bill of rights.[5]
  • Medicare for All to remove the profit motive from health insurance.[5]
  • A billionaire minimum tax to fund public investments.[5]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College.[4]
  • Co-founded the youth climate group Sunrise Movement.[4]
  • Co-founded the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition and the Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center.[4]

Campaign money

Raised $1.1M · spent $736K · $383K cash on hand (through 2026-07-15) FEC filing ↗

Shane Dedrick

G

Shane Dedrick is the Green Party candidate on the November general-election ballot for this district.[1]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Sources · 11

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Tom Barrett (Michigan) · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Barrett's Candidate Connection survey responses, quoted by Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  4. 4.William Lawrence (Michigan) · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  5. 5.Lawrence's Candidate Connection survey responses, quoted by Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  8. 8.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record