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Republican who reportedly dropped out defeats Trump's pick in key swing-district primary
By Charles Creitz
Published August 05, 2026
Republican voters in Michigan's 8th Congressional District chose Thomas J. Smith as their challenger to freshman Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet on Wednesday – defying President Donald Trump's endorsement of opponent Amir Hassan – in one of several House races the GOP hopes will help expand its majority in November.
The district stretches across Flint, Saginaw, Midland and Bay City, and has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles. Al Lemmo also vied for the nomination.
Smith was a longtime GM employee, according to his website.
"We need strong conservative leadership that protects our constitutional freedoms, supports working families, secures our borders, and restores accountability in Washington," he said on his website.
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Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Smith reportedly suspended his campaign in July and endorsed Lemmo, according to the Detroit News, while Trump endorsed Hassan and invited him onstage at a recent rally.
Hassan spoke then about how many members of his family worked for GM. "The contrast is clear, the time is now," Hassan said. "Protecting America, getting back to the fundamentals… that’s what we’re doing this cycle."
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Thomas Smith won his congressional primary in Michigan (Credit: Tom Smith for Congress)
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Lemmo, a retired Army automotive mechanical engineer, ran on a pro-life and pro-onshoring platform.
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A voting booth is seen. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Smith recorded just over 50% of the vote by Wednesday morning, and was declared the winner by the Associated Press.
Smith told the Detroit News he is "humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet."
Rivet, who was a state senator representing Bay City before her tenure in Congress, won her primary Tuesday.
She defeated the GOP's Paul Junge by about six points in 2024's contests.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-choose-challenger-freshman-democrat-key-midwest-battleground