Vance Heads to Michigan: VP Rallies in Howell Before Midterms
The vice president campaigns in a swing district where a progressive challenger faces an Army veteran incumbent in a race that could shift House control.
By Luka Evans ·
Vice President JD Vance is in Michigan today to campaign in a key swing district, aiming to energize the Republican base ahead of the midterm elections.
The race for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District has drawn national attention because of the ideological contrast between the candidates. The district covers parts of Oakland and Genesee counties, as well as the cities of Lansing, Howell, and Brighton. It is a battleground that could influence the balance of power in the U.S. House, where Republicans currently hold 218 seats to the Democrats' 214.
The seat changed hands in 2025, marking a significant shift for the region. Army veteran Tom Barrett defeated Democrat Curtis Hill by nearly four percentage points in an open race. Barrett’s victory helped Republicans maintain their majority in the House. The district was previously held by Elissa Slotkin, a centrist Democrat and former CIA analyst who won a U.S. Senate seat in 2024.
Barrett faces William Lawrence in the general election. Lawrence emerged as the Democratic nominee after a competitive primary that included three candidates. He positioned himself as the progressive choice on the ballot, defeating two more moderate rivals. His campaign website describes him as a community organizer and coalition builder who has assisted dozens of Mid-Michigan families in avoiding homelessness. He is also a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, a group focused on climate change policy. Lawrence was raised in East Lansing and currently lives there with his wife. He received endorsements from Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Vance is scheduled to deliver remarks in Howell at approximately 2 p.m. local time. The visit coincides with the start of early in-person voting, which runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Observers are watching this specific matchup to gauge how a progressive Democrat performs against a Republican incumbent in a competitive midwestern district. The outcome will be a data point in the broader effort to determine which party controls the House in the coming term.
