Kristen McDonald Rivet

FLINT, MI — Republican Thomas J. Smith may face incumbent U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet in the November election for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District seat after all.

Despite Smith announcing weeks earlier that he would suspend his campaign and support one of his two competitors in the August primary election, the Republican appeared both poised to win the primary and ready to advance to the general election.

“I am humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet,” read a statement from Smith’s campaign. “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.”

The statement was released as Smith’s primary election lead over fellow Republicans Amir Hassan and Al Lemmo increased as the number of uncounted votes shrank. As of the publication of this report, Smith led runner-up Hassan by 17 percentage points with 99% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.

The statement did not address the announcement in July that he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Lemmo.

The deadline for candidates to officially withdraw their names passed weeks earlier, in April, according to the Secretary of State’s website. As a result, Smith’s name remained on ballots.

Smith’s wide primary margin came despite Hassan having secured an endorsement from the GOP leader, President Donald Trump, in June. Hassan even appeared alongside Trump during the president’s visit to Michigan last week.

McDonald Rivet faced no Democratic challengers Tuesday, clearing the way for the first-term House representative to seek re-election in the November general election.

If Smith prevails in the primary, he would look to outperform the previous 8th District Republican nominee who faced McDonald Rivet. In November 2024, she defeated Republican Paul Junge, 217,490 to 189,317 votes, a 6.7 percentage-point victory.

The November 2026 election will be part of a broader fight for control of the 435-seat U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 212. There are four vacancies and one independent member.

The 8th District includes Bay, Genesee and Saginaw counties, along with portions of Midland and Tuscola counties.

Smith’s campaign website biography stated he moved from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Flint and later graduated from Kettering University, where he studied industrial administration. He earned a master’s degree from Michigan State University and worked at General Motors as a skilled trades supervisor and quality engineer at Buick City Assembly in Flint.

Election officials consider initial primary results unofficial. Official results will follow certification by state and county election officials.