Thomas Smith won the Republican primary for Michigan's 8th Congressional District on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, with just over 50% of the vote, despite having suspended his campaign in mid-July. Smith defeated Amir Hassan, the candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Smith, a salsa entrepreneur and retired General Motors engineer, struggled with fundraising during his campaign. In a handwritten letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) dated July 12, he disclosed raising only $1,850 through June 30. He also reported difficulties with the FEC's electronic filing system, stating, "I could not file this form electronically because I have had no success logging in and have not been able to get a response from the help desk."

After initially withdrawing and endorsing another candidate, Al Lemmo, Smith revived his campaign following the primary results. In a statement to the Detroit News, he said, "I am humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet," the incumbent Democratic congresswoman.

President Trump had campaigned alongside Hassan and other Republican candidates at a rally in Milford, Michigan, just days before the primary. Trump later alluded to Hassan's defeat without naming him, calling Smith a "good person, very good, very respected, but nobody knew who the person was," during a speech in Las Vegas.

Michigan's 8th District, covering Flint and parts of Central Michigan, is among 13 House districts where voters previously elected a Democrat to Congress but favored Trump in the presidential election.

Sources