MICHIGAN — Will Lawrence, a founder of the Sunrise Movement, is running for Congress in Michigan's 7th district and advocates for a moratorium on data center development. Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Lawrence, who has shown a lead in recent primary polls.

Lawrence announced his candidacy last summer. Senator Sanders stated Lawrence is a candidate who will "demand real accountability for big tech and AI companies." A Data for Progress poll of likely Democratic primary voters in Michigan's 7th district indicated that more than 40 percent of respondents were "much more likely" to vote for a candidate who opposed data centers. The poll also found that nearly 80 percent of respondents under 45 would be much more likely or more likely to support such a candidate. Another poll, commissioned by one of Lawrence's opponents and released in April, also showed Lawrence winning the primary, though the vast majority of voters remained undecided. Lawrence supports renewable energy, with a focus on community-owned and-operated models.

Lawrence stated, "People feel like they're being utterly disrespected by the companies and the local officials who are welcoming them into town." He added, "That is fostering backlash." Michigan's 7th congressional district includes Ingham County. Over the past year, local opposition in two townships within the district has stalled at least two planned data center projects. According to the clean-energy database Cleanview, at least 11 data centers are planned throughout Michigan.

Christy McGillivray, executive director of Voters Not Politicians, described Governor Whitmer's appearance at an Oracle data center opening as a misstep. A 2025 review identified Michigan as the state with the most local restrictions on renewable energy projects. Between 2011 and 2024, more than 60 local governments in Michigan enacted ordinances, moratoriums, or other restrictions on wind and solar development. The 2025 review also indicated that local opposition had stalled or blocked at least 28 renewable energy projects across Michigan. In 2023, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a law designed to allow renewable energy developers to more easily bypass local ordinances against wind and solar construction. Subsequently, dozens of townships, many of which are in Michigan's 7th district, filed a lawsuit against the state concerning this 2023 law. In 2023, the Michigan legislature did not pass initiatives that would have supported community solar.

Why It Matters

Will Lawrence's campaign for Michigan's 7th congressional district highlights local concern over data center development, a sentiment that has contributed to the stalling of at least two projects in the district. The campaign aligns with broader patterns of local restrictions on energy projects in Michigan, as evidenced by a 2025 review identifying the state as having the most local restrictions on renewable energy. The support for Lawrence's stance, particularly among younger voters in primary polls, indicates potential electoral implications for candidates who address concerns about community control over local development.