Iran war, Trump tariffs and Michigan data centers dominate questions during Barrett-Lawrence debate

Republican Rep. Tom Barrett and Democratic challenger Will Lawrence met for their first debate in Michigan's 7th Congressional District race, hosted by WKAR-TV, sparring over the Iran war, tariffs, healthcare and surveillance ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Barrett, a combat veteran, said he voted against continuing the war and predicted fuel costs would fall as it winds down; Lawrence countered that Barrett's caucus enabled Trump's conduct of the conflict from the start.

On tariffs, Lawrence said Michigan has been hit harder than any other state and argued trade policy shifts with the president's mood, while Barrett pivoted to his record opposing unauthorized war-making. The two also clashed on healthcare, with Lawrence pushing single-payer coverage and citing constituents' premiums jumping from $600 to $2,000 a month, and Barrett calling that plan a $40 trillion liability while touting his own insurance-reform bill.

They found rare agreement on ending the Iran war quickly, though not on who is responsible for it dragging on, and on surveillance limits, with Barrett noting his vote against warrantless reauthorization even as he said he still wants law enforcement equipped to do its job.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.