In a surprising outcome in the GOP primary for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District on Tuesday, 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 officially exited the race on July 17, endorsing fellow engineer Al Lemmo, yet remained on the ballot. Lemmo finished a distant third with 16.4% of the vote. Smith carried every county in the district, as reported by The New York Times.

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

President Donald Trump had publicly endorsed 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!”

Before the AP called the primary for him, Smith said in a statement reported by The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer, “I am humbled and honored. 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.”

Smith also posted a 15-second video on Lemmo’s campaign website announcing his suspension of the campaign and full support for Lemmo.

This unexpected victory highlights the complexities of primary elections and the influence of candidate withdrawals on voter outcomes.

Sources