2026 Michigan (MI-07) US House Voters Guide

Tom Barrett (R) vs William Lawrence (D)

House of Representatives | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett

Republican

Incumbent
William Lawrence

William Lawrence

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Tom Barrett (R)

Ban. Voted to introduce criminal penalties for healthcare practitioners who fail to provide the required degree of care for an infant who survives an attempted abortion. In 2022, said he was “100% pro-life — no exceptions.” In 2019 in the Michigan Senate introduced a “dismemberment” ban for second-trimester abortions.

William Lawrence (D)

Legal. “I will defend women’s right to choose an abortion, and seek to codify this right in federal law.” Says “reproductive healthcare is a deeply personal decision” and government should not try to “control” it. Opposes “federal cuts” that are “closing Planned Parenthood locations.”

Share Their Positions

Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Tom Barrett (R)

Likely no. Calls for “an all-of-the-above energy strategy” including oil, natural gas, nuclear, solar, and wind. Opposes “mandates that push the state towards 100% renewable energy by 2040.” Voted to end Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Opposes the Green New Deal.

William Lawrence (D)

Yes. Calls for “tackling the climate crisis.” “I began my career focused on stopping climate change and creating green jobs.” Supported $369 billion in clean energy investments. Was a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement. “Global warming…is a nightmare scenario.” Supports Green New Deal.

Share Their Positions

Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Tom Barrett (R)

Would “oppose all efforts to defund our police.” Opposes “soft-on-crime prosecutors.” In 2021 introduced a Michigan bill to create “correctional officer wellness agency.” Voted to “[enhance] how we collect and report data on violent attacks against law enforcement officers.”

William Lawrence (D)

Supports “criminal justice reform.” “We have too many people incarcerated in this country.” Supports “increased funding for…community violence intervention, working in collaboration with law enforcement.” Opposes Flock cameras: “the potential for abuse will grow even greater.”

Share Their Positions

Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Tom Barrett (R)

Mostly cut. Supports “cutting government spending.” Voted to loosen regulation of the crypto industry. Supports “cutting red tape to help small businesses.” Secured $15.3 million in federal funding for “infrastructure projects… and development investments.” In 2021, voted against a bill to attract thousands of auto manufacturing jobs to Michigan.

William Lawrence (D)

Increase. Calls for “major federal investment in quality housing.” Supported the Inflation Reduction Act for its “investment in green jobs and infrastructure.” Would “support small businesses,” “regulate AI,” and regulate “surveillance by corporations.”

Share Their Positions

Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Tom Barrett (R)

Yes. Voted to give federal tax credits for donations to private school scholarships. In 2021 introduced Michigan bills to provide tax credits for donations to private school scholarships.

William Lawrence (D)

No position found.

Share Their Positions

Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Tom Barrett (R)

Loosen. Voted to limit the scope of the Clean Water Act. Voted to undo controls on companies emitting seven major hazardous pollutants. Voted to increase forest thinning in fire-prone areas by easing environmental laws. Voted to prevent “a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.” Introduced bills to ban federal override of local zoning decisions on data centers.

William Lawrence (D)

Tighten. Would “protect Michigan’s water by restoring wetlands & rivers,” “preserve game & wildlife areas,” and “hold polluters accountable.” Says Line 5 pipeline, a 645-mile oil and natural gas pipeline running through Michigan, should be shut down. Calls it an “ecological catastrophe in waiting.” Supports “a 12-month federal moratorium on new data centers.”

Share Their Positions

Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Tom Barrett (R)

Loosen. Sponsored a bill to allow concealed carry of guns across state lines. Supports “protecting veterans’ 2nd Amendment right.” In 2021, sponsored a resolution to reject federal restrictions on gun laws. In 2021, sponsored a bill to allow concealed carry without a license.

William Lawrence (D)

Unclear. “I follow the lead of…gun violence prevention advocates…who support increased funding for…community violence intervention.”

Share Their Positions

Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Tom Barrett (R)

Mostly decrease. Voted for a bill that cut Medicaid. Voted against extending Affordable Care Act subsidies by 3 years. Would “expand access to tax-free health savings accounts” and “take on insurers who…profit off bankrupting Americans.” Introduced bills to fight insurance fraud, expand access to health savings accounts.

William Lawrence (D)

Increase.I support Medicare for All, which would remove the profit motive from health insurance.” Opposes cuts to Medicaid. Supports extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. “Every one of us…should be covered for life, and our families too.” Calls for “investment in community, in care” to address mental health issues.

Share Their Positions

Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Tom Barrett (R)

Our Southern Border is out-of-control.” Voted to increase ICE funding by $75 billion, then for $70 billion more for DHS. Supported funding $20 million for body-worn cameras for ICE for “more transparency.” Supports completing the border wall to prevent illegal immigration. Voted against extending temporary protected status for Haitian migrants through 2029.

William Lawrence (D)

Regarding immigrant deportation, says it’s “un-American” to have “masked unidentified agents in American cities, kidnapping people and throwing them into unmarked vans.” “Immigrants pay taxes, enrich our communities.” Supports “a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants…to level the playing field for all workers in the United States.”

Share Their Positions

Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Tom Barrett (R)

Mixed. “I pray for a decisive and swift resolution to this conflict.” Introduced a resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iran in May. Voted against requiring congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran in March and April; then for it in May, June, and July. Opposes Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

William Lawrence (D)

No. Calls for ending “the illegal & expensive war on Iran.” Supports requiring congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran. Calls the war “reckless, preemptive,” and “pointless.” “This outrageous war in Iran…is causing the cost of gas and groceries to go through the roof.”

Share Their Positions

Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Tom Barrett (R)

Harder. Voted against restoring the collective bargaining rights of federal workers. Sponsored a National Right-to-Work bill that would allow employees in a unionized workplace to not pay union dues.

William Lawrence (D)

Easier. Supports the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, to expand and protect employees’ organizing and collective bargaining rights. “Unions are proven to increase wages, benefits, and job security…I will always stand with labor.”

Share Their Positions

LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Tom Barrett (R)

Likely limit. Said he’s “not someone that favors” gay marriage. Would “not vote to ban gay marriage at the federal level…. That is an issue for the states to decide.” Opposed “teaching young children about dangerous transgender ideologies.”

William Lawrence (D)

Expand. I’ll stand up to bullies who want to blame…the LGBT community for our problems.” Opposes “political attacks” that “target transgender people, roll back LGBTQ civil rights, and attack personal autonomy.”

Share Their Positions

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Tom Barrett (R)

Mostly lower. Voted to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate. Signed the Taxpayer’s Protection Pledge, a promise to oppose all tax increases. Opposes “taxpayer subsidies of giant corporations,” calling it “corporate welfare.”

William Lawrence (D)

Raise. Supports “a billionaire minimum tax, which is a minimum wealth tax rate that the mega-wealthy must pay.” Opposes “billionaire tax breaks.” “It’s disgraceful that small businesses pay a higher effective tax rate than the largest companies in the world.”

Share Their Positions

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Tom Barrett (R)

Harder. Voted to require anyone registering to vote in a federal election show proof of U.S. citizenship. Supports voter ID. Supports “strengthening election integrity, restoring confidence in the voting process, and protecting the sacred right to vote.”

William Lawrence (D)

Easier. Supports “the right to vote securely and easily.” Opposes a bill requiring anyone registering to vote in a federal election show proof of U.S. citizenship. Would “oppose any attempt to roll back civil rights legislation.”

Share Their Positions

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We include candidates polling 15% or more. Check out others including Shane Dedrick (G). Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.