Op-Ed | William Lawrence: Running to Create Economic Security
By William Lawrence | Guest Columnist
I am running for Congress to create true economic security in Mid-Michigan. That means investing in good housing and healthcare and stopping Trump’s disastrous war in Iran that has sent our gas and grocery prices through the roof. Michigan needs a true representative in Congress, someone unbought by corporate CEOs and independent of party bosses. I will be that representative.
Mid-Michigan is my home. I grew up in East Lansing, graduated from East Lansing High School, and live in Lansing with my wife. I am running for Congress to represent, serve, and strengthen the community that raised me, at a time when powerful interests are trying to tear us apart.
I have a track record of taking on the rich and powerful, and winning. I stood up to Wall Street firms trying to kick Lansing families out of their homes, and I delivered investment for more affordable housing here in the 7th district.
I co-founded the Michigan Rent is Too Damn High coalition, which has fought to protect renters from unsafe housing conditions and skyrocketing rents. I also co-founded the Mid-Michigan Tenant Resource Center and sit on the Ingham County Housing Trust Fund Board, where I serve as a representative for tenant organizations.
Everyone in our district is feeling the burden of rising costs. Even if you can afford the basics now, too many people doubt they can afford them in the future. Renters have no control over the future cost of our rent. Instead we are at the mercy of out-of-state property owners. Career track jobs are fewer than ever, and people fear losing quality healthcare completely if they lose their job. Even social security, which has been guaranteed for decades, is now under threat.
I will be a fighter for the working people and stand up for basic guarantees. You should receive your social security in full. You should have healthcare for life, regardless of your employer. You should have secure housing. All of these are possible if the wealthiest in our nation pay their fair share. And it is why I am in this fight — to build true economic security for our community. Not just in the immediate future, but stability for generations to come.
I've been a vocal critic of politicians from both parties who have placed out-of-state corporate interests over the people Mid-Michigan. My opponent, Tom Barrett, can’t say the same. Data center developers spent nearly $1 million to elect Barrett in 2024. To return the favor, Barrett gave them billions of dollars in tax breaks — and paid for it by cutting our healthcare funding. Barrett has also voted with Trump 99% of the time, including to support Trump’s tariffs that have cost the average Michigan household over $6,000.
All of this is why the most powerful corporations and Donald Trump are spending millions to buy this election, including by spreading ridiculous lies and smears about me. They are afraid of the movement we are building right here in mid-Michigan.
You can count on me to fight for you, because I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money. That is why I am endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO, the United Auto Workers, the Michigan Education Association, IBEW Local 665, National Nurses United, and dozens of other unions, community groups, and local public servants.
It is time to turn the page on the endless wars and brazen corruption. I’m fighting to build a Michigan we can afford, a future we can look forward to, and a country we can be proud of. It would be an honor to earn your vote, and to serve you as your Congressman.
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