Michigan Dem Candidate Deleted Radical Posts

William Lawrence, the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, has deleted hundreds of past social media posts that reveal views on issues ranging from police abolition and nationalizing industries to criticism of the nuclear family and calls to abolish the Senate. The posts, which date back several years to when Lawrence was active as a progressive organizer, have drawn scrutiny as he campaigns in one of the nation's most competitive House races. Lawrence, who won the Democratic primary in August, is challenging incumbent Republican Representative Tom Barrett. The 7th Congressional District is considered a key battleground, having been carried by former President Donald Trump by less than two points in 2024. The deleted messages, uncovered and reported on by CNN, include statements advocating for the abolition of police and prisons, and calling for the nationalization of fossil fuel companies to end their production. Lawrence also expressed views against the traditional nuclear family, describing it in a 2021 post as "an isolating, individualistic, violent way of organizing society.