William
Lawrence

William Lawrence is a lifelong climate activist who has dedicated his career to developing and advocating for progressive climate policies while uplifting underserved communities.

Lawrence earned his degree in sociology and anthropology from Swarthmore College, where he led campus activism in fossil fuel divestment. Upon graduation, he immediately continued his climate organizing, and co-founded the Sunrise Movement in 2015. With the Sunrise Movement, Lawrence led a national organization focused on climate and renewable energy advocacy work, managing civil disobedience efforts and working to elect candidates prioritizing climate action. Their organizing culminated in a broad climate and environmental policy platform that was the foundation for the Green New Deal. Lawrence then founded another nonprofit focused on housing and rent advocacy in Michigan, and acted as a coordinator for the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High Coalition. Here, he has fought for renter protections and worked with families from across the state to avoid homelessness.

As a representative, Lawrence will continue championing climate and environment issues by building out affordable and clean energy, fighting greedy data centers, and restoring Michigan’s wetlands and rivers.

Lawrence joins the U.S. House after defeating former Representative Tom Barrett in the general election, who earned a 0% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard.

“I learned about climate change when I was 12 years old and spent the next 18 years working to stop it. I will fight for investment to secure the climate we depend on, adapt to the changes we can’t prevent, create jobs, and drive our energy bills down.” – LCVAF Questionnaire