Republican Thomas J. “Tom” Smith won Michigan’s 8th Congressional District primary on Tuesday, defeating President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, Amir Hassan, according to Associated Press projections with over 95% of ballots counted.
Smith, a retired General Motors engineer and small-business owner, secured 50.4% of the vote, while Hassan, a former Navy veteran and federal law enforcement officer, received 33.2%. A third candidate, Al Lemmo, took 16.4%. Smith had formally suspended his campaign on July 17, endorsing Lemmo in a video posted to Lemmo’s campaign website.
Michigan’s 8th District, which Trump carried by 2 points in the 2024 election, remains a top Republican target in the 2024 midterms. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, who ran unopposed in her party’s primary.
Campaign Suspension and Endorsement
Smith’s withdrawal came after he reported raising just $1,850 through June 30, according to a handwritten Federal Election Commission filing. His campaign’s last social media post appeared on July 15, and he did not file updated financial disclosures with the FEC. Despite ending his bid, Smith remained on the ballot and continued to accumulate votes, ultimately surpassing Hassan by more than 10,600 votes—a margin larger than the estimated remaining ballots.
In a statement following the results, Smith said he was “humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet.” He added that he looked forward to working with House Speaker Mike Johnson and advancing a Republican agenda focused on economic policies.
Trump’s Endorsement and Hassan’s Campaign
Trump endorsed Hassan on August 3, calling him a “fighter” who would “Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime.” Hassan’s campaign received additional backing from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which targeted the district as a potential pickup opportunity.
Hassan, a Flint native and former federal enforcement officer, has not publicly responded to the primary results as of Wednesday morning.
District Background and Political Context
Michigan’s 8th District includes parts of Genesee, Lapeer, Oakland, and Saginaw counties. Trump’s narrow 2024 victory in the district contrasts with McDonald Rivet’s 2024 reelection, highlighting its competitive nature. Republicans have identified the seat as a key battleground in their efforts to expand their House majority in November.
Smith’s campaign website emphasized themes of “Faith,” “Freedom,” and “The Constitution,” describing his guiding principles as rooted in “the Bible and the Constitution.” His background includes co-founding a salsa company with his Marine veteran son.
Next Steps
Smith will face McDonald Rivet in the November general election. The outcome of this race could influence Republicans’ ability to secure a House majority in the upcoming midterms.