LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – William Lawrence, the Democratic nominee challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in Michigan’s closely watched 7th Congressional District, has come under scrutiny over hundreds of deleted social media posts.

The posts covered topics including defunding or abolishing the police, overhauling the Constitution, eliminating national borders and criticizing the traditional nuclear family.

A digital trail resurfaces

In one post, Lawrence wrote, “@BlackVisionsMN’s Defund the Police campaign during the Floyd uprising was a master class in expanding political horizons and a historic contribution to the Black liberation tradition. We are nearer to a world without police and prisons because of their efforts.”

Lawrence also supported eliminating national borders.

“Envision a world of free and open migration. Feel your mind buck against the premise. ‘You mean, ANYBODY can move ANYWHERE??’ Yes! Our mission is the eradication of all forms of domination. National origin is one of the strongest fronts of domination in our world today,” he wrote.

Lawrence also criticized the nuclear family, writing, “Biggest W of my late 20s was finding a long-term stable co-op house. Fuck isolation and the nuclear family domicile.”

A highly competitive race

Michigan’s 7th Congressional District is considered one of the country’s most competitive House districts. President Donald Trump carried it by fewer than two percentage points in 2024, and it was previously represented by Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin.

Lawrence has distanced himself from several of his former positions. In July, he told the news outlet Semafor that his 2020 support for defunding the police was “out of step with what I believe now.” He has since said he does not support defunding the police or open borders.

On his campaign website, Lawrence lists lowering the cost of living, protecting “Pure Michigan,” opposing endless wars and restoring the rule of law among his main campaign priorities.

Lawrence also allowed his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America to lapse before the Aug. 4 primary election.

Barrett is serving his first term in the U.S. House. Among the accomplishments he cites are securing federal funding for Mid-Michigan, supporting the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and getting his Military Helicopter Training Safety Act enacted through the 2026 defense authorization law.