Supporters of Barrett, Lawrence clash at dueling protests ahead of debate

Members of “Spartans for Will,” who back Democrat Will Lawrence, and supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) clashed in a war of words and protest signs in downtown Lansing on Monday evening during a pair of demonstrations calling out Lawrence and Barrett over their respective campaign planks — and in the case of Barrett, his congressional record — with just 31 days left in the 2026 general election cycle.

Lawrence, the Democratic nominee for the 7th Congressional District, and Barrett, the seat’s incumbent, are set to square off Tuesday in a debate hosted by WKAR-TV in Lansing.

Organizers of the pro-Lawrence demonstration, which was held outside of Barrett’s office in Lansing, called attention to the congressman’s record on artificial intelligence, the data centers that power its proliferation, healthcare and other issues that progressives have noted in their calls to elect Lawrence in the fall.

Camden Kimmel, a Michigan State University student and a member of “Spartans for Will,” gave remarks at the protest, highlighting the group’s issues with Barrett. Cynthia Burton, with Bee Accepting, also aired grievances with Barrett’s time in office.

“We must act now. Status quo systems, policies, and politicians are never going to fix the damaging mistakes of the past two, 12, 20, 189 and 250 years. The opportunity to unite people towards a better future is here, and we will not let it pass us by,” Kimmel said. “I very much consider Tom Barrett a status quo politician. Taking corporate PAC money, bowing down to Trump and voting for the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ supporting the war in Iran, and entrenching our energy grid’s dependence on the fossil fuel industry. He has expressed no desire to stand up to AI startups and data center builders, instead preferring to pass that responsibility over to the local townships.”

Lawrence spokesperson Mya Legel told Michigan Advance following the event that “Michiganders have paid the price of Tom Barrett’s cost- raising record in Congress.”

“One night on a debate stage is too little, too late to make up for two years of absence, billionaire tax breaks, and rubber-stamping Donald Trump’s agenda,” Legal added.

Barrett’s supporters counter-programmed the protest by holding one of their own, calling out Lawrence’s associations with the democratic socialist movement, his arrest record from days of protesting oil pipelines, and other grievances with Lawrence’s campaign.

Several members of the pro-Barrett demonstration were asked if they would like to be interviewed by the Advance, but declined. Those present and representing Barrett at the counter-demonstration included members of the the Michigan Republican Party, from GOP legislative aides to members of regional and county GOP offices.

Barrett spokesperson Jason Roe pushed back on the protest and the Lawrence campaign calling the congressman’s record into question.

“The Lawrence campaign is a campaign of theater kids. Since Tom first was sworn in nearly two years ago, Will and his merry band of mischief makers have been protesting his office, harassing his staff, vandalizing his office, and making unfounded accusations that predated his first votes in Congress.” Roe told the Advance. “Hopefully, the voters are not fooled by the theatrics and look at the record, because Tom’s record stands up against any member of the Michigan delegation in terms of his independence,  voting in line with the needs of his district, and it’s why he’s going to get reelected.

Courtesy of Michigan Advance