Trump-backed House candidate in Michigan loses to opponent who dropped out

Digital Curator

A candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump lost a Michigan Republican primary Tuesday to an opponent who had suspended his campaign a month earlier.

Amir Hassan, a Flint native, Navy veteran and former law enforcement officer, was running for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.

Related video above | How Michigan’s Senate primary could shape the Democratic party’s future

With Trump’s backing and one rival out of the race, Hassan appeared well positioned to win. He even appeared at a rally with Trump in Milford, Michigan, just last week.

Instead, he lost by double digits.

Thomas J. Smith was declared the winner Tuesday, 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”

He added, “To all the winners yesterday, congratulations. I’m very excited for the top of our ticket and we will get out and vote. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you again.”

While this isn’t the first Trump-backed candidate to lose this election cycle, with a handful of his picks already falling in state-level races, including the Iowa and Georgia governor’s races, POLITICO reported that Hassan is the first congressional candidate endorsed by Trump to lose in 2026.

Trump has not commented on Hassan’s loss yet.