Retired engineer Thomas J. “Tom” Smith won the GOP primary for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District on Tuesday, August 5th, securing 50.4% of the vote compared to Trump-backed Navy veteran Amir Hassan’s 33.2%, according to the Associated Press with over 95% of ballots counted.

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

Smith sent a handwritten note to an FEC inspector in July stating his campaign was a "late entry" and had raised only $1,850 through the end of June, as shared by CNN’s Patrick Svitek. In contrast, Hassan’s campaign raised more than $727,000 through mid-July, according to FEC records.

President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Amir Hassan on July 28th 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 expressed gratitude and outlined his intentions: “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,” as reported by The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer.

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

Sources