House candidate wins primary despite ending campaign, beating Trump endorsee

Thomas Smith, a salsa entrepreneur and retired General Motors engineer, secured victory in Michigan's 8th District GOP primary with just over 50% of the vote, even after suspending his campaign in mid-July. His win is particularly notable as he defeated Amir Hassan, who had secured President Trump's endorsement and recently campaigned alongside the former president.

“

I am humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet.

Smith, who struggled with fundraising, disclosing only $1,850 raised by June 30, had initially endorsed Al Lemmo after withdrawing. Lemmo ultimately finished third in the primary. Smith has since revived his campaign, expressing humility and honor at the Republican Party's choice to challenge incumbent Democratic congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet.

“

disappointed not defeated

The 8th District, which includes Flint and other parts of Central Michigan, is among 13 House seats where voters elected a Democrat in 2022 but favored Mr. Trump for president in 2024. Hassan, a Navy veteran with federal law enforcement experience, stated he was "disappointed not defeated" following the results. He is currently the only Trump-endorsed House candidate this cycle to lose a primary. President Trump acknowledged the loss without naming Hassan, noting a 28-1 record with his endorsements and lamenting that one candidate, though a "good person," was largely unknown.

“

I endorsed a lot of candidates, and the end result, I was 28 wins and one loss. It was a little bit of a person that I thought was a good person. Didn't have much of a chance, but I said, 'I don't care, I'm doing it anyway.'