Thomas J. Smith wins the Republican nomination for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District in a GOP House primary that multiple outlets describe as a challenge to President Donald Trump’s preferred candidates. NBC News projects Smith defeats both the candidate Trump endorsed and another rival he had backed in the contest. ABC News reports Smith, a relatively low-profile candidate who suspended his campaign in July, wins by a wide margin. The Guardian says Smith had withdrawn from the primary last month, but his name remains on the ballot, and he secures more than 50% of the vote in unofficial results reported by the Associated Press.
Across the reports, Smith’s campaign is characterized as lacking fundraising momentum compared with typical primary challengers. The Guardian further identifies the opponents he beats: Amir Hassan, whom Trump endorsed, and Al Lemmo, whom Smith had endorsed. With Smith winning the nomination, the GOP’s eventual general-election prospects in the district are set for the fall campaign the party aims to contest.
