A little-known candidate, Thomas J. “Tom” Smith, soundly defeated President Donald Trump’s endorsed pick, Amir Hassan, in the GOP primary for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District on Tuesday, August 5th, 2026, despite having dropped out of the race a month earlier.

According to the Associated Press, with more than 95% of ballots counted, Smith secured 50.4% of the vote compared to Hassan’s 33.2%. Smith had suspended his campaign on July 17th but remained on the ballot and endorsed fellow engineer Al Lemmo, who finished third with 16.4% of the vote.

Smith carried every county in the district, as reported by The New York Times. In a 15-second video posted to Lemmo’s campaign website, Smith announced his suspension and expressed full support for Lemmo.

Despite Hassan’s campaign raising over $727,000 through mid-July, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Smith had reported raising only $1,850 through the end of June, describing his campaign as a "late entry" in a handwritten note to an FEC inspector.

President Trump had publicly endorsed 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!”

Following his primary victory, 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.”