Michigan Republican Tom Smith — who suspended his campaign last month, endorsed one of his opponents, and then won Tuesday's primary anyway — surfaced at a GOP unity brunch in Macomb County on Wednesday and declared he is "running" for Michigan's 8th Congressional District to unseat Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Smith did not return Fox News Digital's inquiries about whether he would be resuming his campaign, but told Republican activists he would need their help against the first-term Democrat in November's general election.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats and progressive observers have focused on Smith's characterization of McDonald Rivet as a "communist comrade," framing it as inflammatory rhetoric directed at an incumbent who has centered her campaign on district-level concerns rather than ideological battles. They note that McDonald Rivet, elected to Congress in 2024, represents a competitive swing seat and is running on local issues such as jobs and the cost of living.
Democratic-aligned commentators also point to the unusual path Smith took to the nomination — suspending his campaign and endorsing rival Al Lemmo before winning anyway — arguing it leaves questions about how fully he can consolidate Republican support heading into a general election against an entrenched incumbent.
What the Right Is Saying
Smith told activists at the Macomb County brunch, "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 reported by CNN, he said he was "humbled and honored" to be chosen to take the fight to Democrats in November.
"I look forward to working with Speaker 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.
Defeated rival Amir Hassan, who was backed by Trump, conceded graciously in a video posted to social media on Wednesday. "I fell short last night. I make no excuse. It was a tough race," Hassan said, adding that he had congratulated his opponents and told supporters it is "still time to flip the eighth."
What the Numbers Show
Smith won Tuesday's Republican primary in Michigan's 8th Congressional District, defeating Trump-backed Amir Hassan by a substantial margin, according to the report. Al Lemmo — the candidate Smith endorsed after suspending his campaign — finished third.
The district is considered a key swing seat, and McDonald Rivet enters the general election as an incumbent Democrat who won her first term in 2024. Exact vote totals from Tuesday's primary were not immediately available in initial reports.
The Bottom Line
Smith now faces McDonald Rivet in November in what Republicans view as a pickup opportunity to expand their House majority and Democrats view as a seat they can hold with an incumbent advantage. The coming weeks will show whether Smith, who briefly dropped out of the race, can rebuild his campaign organization and unify GOP donors and activists behind him after an unusually messy primary.