RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesThomas J Smith, a Republican running in Michigan’s 8th congressional district, dropped out of the race last month but remained on the ballot
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President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate to take on a Democrat for a competitive Michigan U.S. House seat lost his primary to a GOP opponent who dropped out of the race last month.
Amir Hassan, whom Trump endorsed on Truth Social this week, lost Michigan’s 8th congressional district primary Wednesday morning to Thomas J. Smith.
Hassan finished with roughly 33.2 percent of the vote while Smith succeeded with 50.4 percent, according to the Associated Press.
Smith dropped out of the race in Michigan last month but remained on the ballot. Smith endorsed fellow Republican Al Lemmo, who had roughly 16 percent of the vote Wednesday morning. It’s unclear why Smith initially suspended his campaign.
Hassan’s loss is just the latest example of a Trump-endorsed candidate failing to resonate with voters. However, the president’s endorsements are typically considered strong signs of success, and he often brags about his wins.
Smith will now face the incumbent Democrat, Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, in November.
Michigan’s 8th congressional district, which includes the city of Flint, is expected to be one of the most competitive midterm races. Trump won the district in the 2024 election at the same time McDonald Rivet took the House seat.
Smith issued a statement Wednesday morning, obtained by The Detroit News , saying he was “humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet.”
"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," Smith said.
The Independent has asked Smith’s campaign for comment.
Smith’s statement indicates he is willing to accept the result of the primaries and take on McDonald Rivet, despite declaring in a Facebook video posted on July 16 that he was suspending his campaign and “putting my full support behind Al Lemmo.”
Smith, a former General Motors employee and current entrepreneur, grew up in Wisconsin but moved to Flint at a young age.
On his campaign website, Smith promotes traditional conservative values such as limited government, protected personal freedoms and securing the U.S. border.
Meanwhile, Trump’s preferred candidate, Hassan, 40, grew up in Flint and spent years in the military and law enforcement. On his campaign website, he says he is a former Navy member who worked as security at prison camps in Guantanamo Bay.
His campaign website emphasizes his Christian beliefs, his loyalty to Israel and desire to reinforce Trump’s America First policies.
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