Amir Hassan

Tom Smith announced he is running for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District to unseat Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet at a GOP unity brunch in Macomb County. Previously, Smith suspended his campaign and placed his support behind Al Lemmo. In the primary, Thomas defeated Amir Hassan, who subsequently congratulated his opponents.

Tom Smith declared at a GOP unity brunch that he is running for Michigan's 8th Congressional District to unseat Kristen McDonald Rivet, calling her a "communist comrade." Previously dropping out of the race, Smith also stated his intent to advance President Trump’s America First agenda in the general election. Separately, Amir Hassan congratulated his opponents after finishing second in the primary.

Tom Smith, who had suspended his bid, defeated Amir Hassan, a Navy veteran backed by President Trump. Smith did not run any ads or file campaign finance reports during the election.

Amir Hassan, a Trump-backed candidate, lost the Republican primary for Michigan to Tom Smith, who had previously suspended his campaign. The Republican nomination ultimately went to Smith, who was initially a rival to Hassan.

Thomas Smith, whose name remained on the ballot after withdrawing from the Republican primary for Michigan’s eighth district last month, won the nomination with over 50% of the vote. He defeated anti-abortion activist Al Lemmo, whom he endorsed, and former federal law enforcement officer Amir Hassan, who was endorsed by Donald Trump.

Thomas J. Smith suspended his campaign for Michigan’s 8th District but is projected to defeat Amir Hassan, a rival backed by the president. The outcome highlights an unexpected result where a candidate who dropped out still beats a Trump-endorsed opponent.

President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, Amir Hassan, lost a Republican primary in Michigan to Tom Smith, who had suspended his campaign earlier. Smith will now challenge first-term Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet for the 8th District.

Republican voters in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District selected Thomas Smith over Trump-endorsed candidate Amir Hassan, despite Smith suspending his campaign on July 16. Smith secured 50.4% of the vote, while Hassan received 33.2%, and Al Lemmo 16.4%. The district includes Saginaw, Midland, Bay City, and Flint.

Trump's pick, Amir Hassan, lost the GOP primary in Michigan's 8th Congressional District to Thomas Smith, who had previously dropped out of the race. Smith will now challenge Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.