Michigan State professor Cowen drops out of race for Congress in key mid-Michigan district

Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Oct 9, 2025

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DETROIT — Democrat Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, dropped out of the race for a battleground U.S. House district anchored by Lansing on Wednesday, saying he wasn't able to raise enough money last quarter to seriously compete with his primary rivals.

"I believe in data and in facts, and the facts are that we won't be able to compete the way we need to to stay in this time," Cowen said in a video message to supporters.

"I really wanted to serve in this way, but this campaign was never about me. It was and it still is about families across mid-Michigan and about taking Congress back next fall. And, right now, the best way for me to help flip the seat is to pull out of this race."

Cowen's exit after three months leaves a trio of prominent Democrats in the contest ― retired diplomat Bridget Brink, former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam and climate activist William Lawrence ― all vying for the chance to take on first-term Republican Rep. Tom Barrett of Charlotte in the 2026 midterm elections.

National Democrats and Republicans both are trained on Barrett's seat, with the GOP determined to defend it and Democrats aiming to flip Michigan's 7th District, which covers Ingham, Livingston, Clinton and Shiawassee counties, along with parts of Eaton, Oakland and Genesee counties.

Lawrence praised Cowen for elevating public education as an issue in the race and said the departure left Lawrence as "the leading candidate in this primary who is actually from the district" ― a dig at Maasdam and Brink, who didn't grow up in the 7th Congressional District.

Indeed, GOP strategists have made the non-local candidates in the race a running line of attack.

"Democrat Josh Cowen bailed from Michigan's 7th district Democrat primary clown car but not before endorsing out-of-town, out-of-touch Bridget Brink, only fueling the Democrats' chaotic and costly race to the Left," said Zach Bannon, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Cowen's campaign had said he raised about $205,000 during the three-month period ending Sept. 30, compared to over $600,000 raised by Maasdam and Brink each, according to their campaigns. Lawrence reported raising more than $220,000 after launching just five weeks before the reporting deadline. Campaign finance reports are due Oct. 15.

Cowen, 46, of East Lansing, said in an interview that he was proud of his haul, especially as a first-time candidate, but he questioned whether he could do it quarter after quarter while up against other contenders raising "pretty high" dollar amounts.

"If you're in this to win, the path isn't there this time," Cowen said. "Sometimes you have to be a grown-up about these things. It sucked."

Cowen said he would be supporting Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, describing her as the Democrat best positioned to defeat Barrett.

He noted that Brink has moved into the district and cited her "impressive," three-decade record of pubic service, including the distinction of being the first female ambassador to serve in a warzone in Ukraine.

"I got into this talking about schools and ... Bridget was the only other candidate that I had heard on the trail and in some social (media posts) actually mentioning schools," Cowen said.

"All Democrats need to be talking a lot more about reinvesting in K-12 schools, like we just do. (Former Gov. Rick) Snyder is about to raise $30 million to make 2026 'education election' for Republicans. The Republicans think K-12 education is a really big deal for them."

Cowen entered the U.S. House contest in early July with a focus on affordability and education issues.

His research as an academic has focused on teacher quality, education politics and school choice, with his latest book critical of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her promotion of school vouchers: "The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers."

Cowen said he intends to return to teaching at MSU and will continue speaking and writing.

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