A candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump lost a Michigan Republican primary to an opponent who had suspended his campaign. Amir Hassan, a Flint native, Navy veteran, and former law enforcement officer, was running for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.

Primary Results

Thomas J. Smith was declared the winner, securing just over 50% of the vote. Smith had reportedly suspended his campaign in July and endorsed a third candidate, Al Lemmo, who finished third in the race with about 16% of the vote.

Smith is a former General Motors employee and current small business owner, operating Jar Head Salsa, which is named in honor of his three sons who all served in the military. Smith told POLITICO that he will accept the nomination and run in the general election.

“I look forward to working with Speaker [Mike] 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 in a statement.

Smith will face Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet in November. McDonald Rivet is seeking a second term in a battleground district labeled by Cook Political Report as ‘Lean Democratic.’ The district, which covers Flint, Saginaw, and Midland, is one of 13 congressional districts that voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election while simultaneously electing a Democrat in the 2024 House of Representatives elections.

Following his defeat, Hassan released a video statement on social media Wednesday. “I fell short last night. I make no excuse. It was a tough race,” Hassan said in a post captioned, ‘Disappointed not defeated. Thank you to all that supported. #FlipTheState’

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.