Centrist Democrats Are Staring Down Disaster in a Michigan Swing District

Two establishment-friendly Democrats are battling it out in Lansing. Unfortunately for them, they’re not alone in the race.

Bridget Brink

“I am the strongest candidate to win both the primary and the general election,” said onetime Ukraine ambassador Bridget Brink. (Andrew Kravchenko/AP)

LANSING, Mich. — The Democratic Party establishment is on the verge of another big problem ahead of November’s midterm elections.

In Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, party leaders believe either of two candidates running — former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam or onetime Ukraine ambassador Bridget Brink — could win the battleground district.

The problem? There’s a third candidate. And Maasdam and Brink have attacked each other relentlessly while drawing from the same pool of supporters — giving a progressive activist a chance to win instead.