During their first face-to-face debate, candidates for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, Democrat William Lawrence and incumbent Republican Tom Barrett, faced off on immigration policy, the Iran war and data center development. Throughout the debate on Tuesday, Barrett continually referenced old statements posted by Lawrence on social media, while Lawrence repeatedly took a stance of connecting Barrett to President Donald Trump.
A 'humane' immigration policy
Upon being asked about budgeting for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Lawrence said border security and ICE personnel should be regarded as separate.
Lawrence said he supported a “secure border” paired with a “humane, efficient and orderly” immigration system. The congressional hopeful referenced the deaths of two Minneapolis, Minnesota, residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during Operation Metro Surge in January, saying the current immigration system is “un-American.”
“We need to remember the words on the Statue of Liberty, which call us to our high values and remind us that we should welcome immigrants because we are immigrants,” Lawrence said.
Barrett also established a desire for a “humane” system of immigration that is also “firm” and “fair.” He further advocated a need for a “secure border,” saying current border security legislation has reduced fentanyl overdose rates.
The Department of Homeland Security's renewed focus on immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration led to a 31% decrease in the number of hours spent on fentanyl-related criminal investigations, according to a recent DHS Office of the Inspector General report.
“We have to start with the border security first policy,” Barrett said. “Then we can have a conversation about the remaining immigration questions that are out there that we need to continue to work on.”
Barrett also referred to Lawrence’s old social media posts advocating for “free and open migration” and “amnesty to all 12 million illegal immigrants in the country,” saying Lawrence’s plan would make “communities less safe.”
Lawrence said they were “hypothetical statements" and later said he has since changed his mind.
Future data center development
Data centers have been a bipartisan source of strain in the Greater Lansing Area, with residents concerned about the hyper-scale projects' toll on the environment and the job market.
Barrett said local governments should be in charge of data center development projects. The incumbent Republican candidate disparaged the pursuit of the Green New Deal due to it “taking away local control" from future development.
“I've been on the side of local control,” Barrett said. “I've been on the side of local residents for this.”
Lawrence, who co-founded the Sunrise Movement, championed his “nationally recognized” fight against data centers and advocacy for “safe AI.” He referenced past appearances at local council meetings where Lawrence condemned data center development, calling out Barrett’s lack of presence in such areas.
“Residents across the political spectrum — Democrats, Independents, Republicans — have been fighting back and saying, ‘No, we don't want this in our communities,’” Lawrence said.
The Iran War
Barrett said he was “one of the very first Republicans” to vote against continuing the war in Iran. He said this “continued vote” was not of "convenience" but "conviction,” advocating for "separating" himself from Trump with regard to the nation’s part in the war.
“Our national leaders, whether it's the president or anybody else, (have) to be contemplating the downstream effects of every decision that we make,” Barrett said.
While Lawrence also supported an end to the conflict, he emphasized the economic impacts, saying, “We can’t afford for this war to continue.” Lawrence also criticized Barrett’s initial support of Trump, condemning his decision to “arm the Israeli government.”
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“We have got to put a stop to this,” Lawrence said. “I am a strong supporter that we should bring our money home, stop arming Israel and stop these endless wars that are not making us any safer.”
Lawrence called for Barrett to “condemn the president for his words” in reference to recent comments suggesting that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego if cleared to develop nuclear weaponry.
While Barrett agreed that this language “wasn’t acceptable,” he fired back, challenging Lawrence to denounce leftist streamer Hasan Piker’s remarks that “Americans deserved 9/11.”
Lawrence denounced Piker's comments, saying, “It was a despicable statement.”
The event was livestreamed through WKAR’s YouTube channel on Tuesday and will air on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. through local news outlets.
