Retired Engineer Wins Michigan GOP Over Trump-Backed

A retired engineer who suspended his campaign last month has won the Republican primary for Michigan's 8th Congressional District, defeating a candidate who had received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. The Associated Press projected Thomas J. Smith as the winner on Wednesday, August 5, after he secured just over 50 percent of the vote.

Smith, a retired General Motors engineer, defeated Trump-endorsed candidate Amir Hassan, a former federal law enforcement officer and Navy veteran, who received approximately 33 percent of the vote. A third candidate, Al Lemmo, finished with about 16 percent. Smith had suspended his campaign in mid-July, with multiple sources citing July 16 or July 17 as the date, and subsequently endorsed Lemmo. Despite his withdrawal, Smith's name remained on the ballot, and he carried every county in the district.

In a statement, Smith said he was humbled and honored that Republicans had chosen him to take the fight to the incumbent, Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet. He added that he looked forward to working with House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican team to expand the House majority and advance Trump's "America First" agenda....