Thomas Smith, a Michigan Republican who briefly suspended his campaign and endorsed an opponent, has returned to compete in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. Speaking at a GOP unity brunch in Macomb County, Smith announced his plans to challenge Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Smith’s unexpected primary victory came after previously endorsing another candidate, Al Lemmo, who finished third. Despite his earlier withdrawal, Smith garnered enough support to win, defeating Amir Hassan, the Trump-backed candidate. Smith addressed Republican activists at the brunch, emphasizing the need for their support to unseat Rivet. Although he did not respond to inquiries about resuming his campaign, his statements indicated a continuation of his political efforts.
My name is Tom Smith, and I’m running for the 8th Congressional District to unseat communist comrade Rivet. And I’ll need your help to do it.
In a statement to CNN, Smith expressed gratitude for the chance to take on Democrats in the upcoming November general election. He expressed a desire to work with Republican leaders like Speaker Johnson to further the America First agenda, aiming to reduce costs for working families and make the country more affordable.
Meanwhile, Amir Hassan conceded the race, acknowledging his defeat in a video posted on social media. Despite falling short, Hassan congratulated his competitors and encouraged his supporters to continue efforts to change the 8th District. He accepted the outcome with optimism about future opportunities, expressing faith in what lies ahead, even if it remains unclear.
Alec Schemmel, a Politics Reporter for Fox News Digital, provides coverage of these developments. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Schemmel now reports from the Washington D.C.-Baltimore Metro Area.