Tom Smith, who ended his election bid on July 16, has secured the Republican nomination in Michigan’s 8th District over Trump-endorsed Amir Hassan.
Smith won just over 50% of the votes, compared to Hassan’s 33.2%, as of Wednesday morning. After Smith dropped out of the race, he endorsed Al Lemmo, who received 16.4% of the votes on Tuesday evening.
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In a statement, Smith said 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 added.
Smith is a retired engineer who worked at General Motors. Hassan is a former federal enforcement officer and U.S. Navy veteran. Hassan, who received President Donald Trump’s endorsement on Aug. 3, had not yet responded to the results on Wednesday morning.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse Amir Hassan, who is running to represent the fantastic people of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District!” Trump wrote on Monday. “From bravely fighting for our incredible U.S. Navy, to protecting his Community as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Amir has served our Nation with distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Congress. His opponent, Kristen McDonald Rivet, voted against NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, and NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY and, if she and the Dumocrats ever got in, all of these things would be terminated. She wants massive Tax Increases, Open Borders, Men playing in Women’s Sports, and Transgender for Everybody. On the other hand, Amir will work hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
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Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) was elected to Michigan’s 35th District in 2023, but then won the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th District in 2025. She ran unopposed in her primary on Tuesday evening.
The district, which encompasses the Flint area, is highly competitive. Cook Political Report labeled it “lean Democrat,” given McDonald Rivet’s strengths. However, the political analysis firm gave it an index rating of R+1. In 2024, McDonald Rivet won the seat by almost 7 percentage points, though Trump won it by nearly 2 points in the presidential contest.