Thomas Smith wins Michigan GOP primary for 8th District seat

Thomas Smith, a retired GM engineer and local salsa seller, won the Republican primary for Michigan's 8th Congressional District, defeating the Trump-backed candidate Amir Hassan. Smith won 50.4% of the vote, while Hassan received 33%. Republican activist Al Lemmo took 16%.

The victory is considered an upset because Smith had previously withdrawn from the race and spent virtually no money on his campaign. In contrast, Hassan, a U.S. Navy veteran and former federal law enforcement officer, raised $727,000 and had spent over $623,000 by July.

National Republicans are now rallying around Smith as he prepares to face the Democratic incumbent, Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, in the general election. The district was won by Donald Trump by only two percentage points in 2024, and the upcoming race is currently rated as "Lean Democrat" by the Cook Political Report.