Full Breakdown
Trump-Backed Candidate Loses Michigan Primary to Suspended Rival
8/6/2026, 10:24:14 AM
Primary Upset in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District
In the June 30 primary for Michigan’s 8th District, a largely unknown Republican, Thomas Smith, secured roughly 50% of the vote, defeating Amir Hassan, the Navy veteran endorsed by President Donald Trump, who received about 33%. A third contender, Al Lemmo, garnered 16% with more than 95% of ballots counted. The district, which voted for both a Democratic representative and Trump in 2024, was a top GOP target for the 2026 cycle.
Campaign Dynamics and Funding
Smith’s campaign raised only $1,850 through June 30, a figure he disclosed in a handwritten letter to the Federal Election Commission because he could not access the electronic filing system. The last post on his campaign Facebook page appeared on July 15. Despite suspending his campaign in mid-July and endorsing Lemmo, Smith ran no television ads and still outperformed Hassan, who had been actively promoted by Trump at a rally in Milford the week before the primary.
Official Reactions
- Thomas Smith said he would now challenge incumbent Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet and expressed eagerness to work with Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican leadership to advance the “America First” agenda.
- Zach Bannon, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called Smith a “common-sense conservative” who would “send” McDonald Rivet “packing this fall.”
- A GOP strategist, speaking anonymously, noted that Hassan’s “clear flaws” and the base’s reluctance to support him contributed to the loss.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet,” — Thomas Smith
- “I know what God has in store for me is something greater, even if I can’t see it right now and I don’t understand,” — Amir Hassan, backed military veteran
- “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 helpdesk,” — Thomas Smith
- “But I said: ‘I don’t care. I’m doing it anyway,’” — Donald Trump, defeated president
- “Donald Trump and the NRCC’s handpicked candidate just lost his primary to a man who quit this race weeks ago to endorse a third person in the primary,” — Katie Smith
