Thomas J. Smith Wins Michigan 8th District Republican Primary

Republican candidate Thomas J. Smith won the primary election for Michigan's 8th Congressional District on August 4, securing 50.4 percent of the vote. Smith's victory is unusual because he had suspended his campaign on July 16 or 17 and endorsed rival candidate Al Lemmo, yet his name remained on the ballot.

Smith defeated Amir Hassan, a Navy veteran and former federal law enforcement officer who received 33.2 percent of the vote. Al Lemmo finished third with 16.4 percent. Hassan's loss is significant as he was the first candidate endorsed by Donald Trump to lose a congressional primary this cycle, disrupting the president's claim of a perfect endorsement record.

Smith will now advance to the general election to challenge the Democratic incumbent, Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet. While the district is viewed as a competitive battleground, McDonald Rivet currently holds a substantial financial advantage over her opponent.