In a surprising outcome in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District GOP primary on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, retired engineer Thomas J. “Tom” Smith secured 50.4% of the vote, defeating Trump-backed Navy veteran and law enforcement officer Amir Hassan, who received 33.2%, according to the Associated Press with over 95% of ballots counted.

Smith had suspended his campaign on July 17, 2026, endorsing fellow engineer Al Lemmo, who ultimately finished third with 16.4% of the vote, per the AP. Despite withdrawing, Smith remained on the ballot and carried every county in the district, as reported by The New York Times.

Smith had described his campaign as a "late entry" and disclosed in a handwritten note to an FEC inspector that he had raised only $1,850 through the end of June, according to a screenshot posted to X by CNN’s Patrick Svitek. In contrast, Hassan’s campaign raised more than $727,000 through mid-July, according to the Federal Election Commission.

President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Amir Hassan on July 28 via Truth Social, stating, “Amir Hassan has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Michigan’s 8th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Following the primary results, Smith expressed humility and honor, saying in a statement reported by The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer, “I look forward to working with Speaker Johnson and the entire Republican team to expand our House majority and advance President Trump’s America First agenda to lower costs for working families and make America affordable again.”

Sources