Thomas Smith, a Republican who dropped out of the race for Michigan's 8th Congressional District, is leading other challengers, with the bulk of ballots counted in the Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary election.
Yes, you read that correctly. Smith, who dropped out of the race July 16, had 50.1% of the vote, with 99% of the expected vote counted. Smith was poised to defeat Al Lemmo — who he personally endorsed after suspending his campaign — and Amir Hassan, a Navy veteran who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Hassan had 33.2% of the vote, while Lemmo had 16.4%, according to unofficial vote totals.
Although Smith dropped out of the race, he did so after ballots had already been printed, so he remained an option for voters.
Smith did not file any campaign
finance statements with the Federal Elections Commission after forming his committee in May, online records show. Smith's campaign was last active on Facebook on July 15.
The district includes Flint, Bay City, Saginaw and Midland.
The winner of the GOP primary in the district will face first-term U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City. The district is considered competitive, but with national headwinds likely favoring Democrats due to continued economic anxiety, McDonald Rivet may have the early advantage.
McDonald Rivet ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Smith didn't immediately return a message seeking comment the morning of Aug. 5. He retired from General Motors in 2009 and later launched a company selling salsa with his son, according to his campaign website.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GOP candidate who dropped out leads Trump's pick in Michigan swing district
