On Tuesday, August 5, 2026, retired engineer Thomas J. “Tom” Smith won the GOP primary for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District with 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. 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. In contrast, Hassan’s campaign raised over $727,000 through mid-July, according to FEC filings.

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!”

Before the primary results were called, Smith expressed humility and readiness to work with Republican leadership, saying, “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.

Sources