Will Lawrence wins Michigan House primary

Will Lawrence, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, won the Democratic primary in Michigan's 7th District on Tuesday. Lawrence defeated Bridget Brink, a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and Matt Maasdam, a former Navy SEAL and military aide to President Obama, according to the Associated Press.

The outcome is what party leaders in both Michigan and D.C. had feared for weeks — that Maasdam and Brink would split the moderate vote and create an opening for Lawrence to win. Several top House Democratic moderates expressed the view that Lawrence cannot beat Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) in November. However, progressives argue that concerns about Lawrence's viability in the general election are based on an outmoded metric of electability.

The Democratic Women's Caucus backed Brink, while Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) supported Maasdam. Lawrence is one of several progressives who have beaten more establishment-aligned candidates in key swing districts this election cycle. Progressive activist and political science professor Randy Villegas beat moderate California State Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains in the race to take on Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.). In Maine, progressive state Auditor Matt Dunlap won a primary victory over establishment-backed Joe Baldacci in the seat of retiring Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine).