Thomas
J. Smith
Republican nominee for Michigan's 8th Congressional District; won 2026 primary after suspending his campaign
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Thomas J. "Tom" Smith is the Republican nominee for Michigan's 8th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, challenging Democratic incumbent Kristen McDonald Rivet. He gained national attention after winning the August 4, 2026, Republican primary despite having previously suspended his campaign and endorsed another candidate—his name remained on the ballot, and he defeated Trump-backed candidate Amir Hassan. [Sources: 1, 2, 6, 11]
Smith worked at General Motors from 1969 to 2008, holding roles including skilled-trades supervisor, production supervisor, and senior quality engineer. He graduated from Kettering University and earned an MBA from Michigan State University in 1982. After retiring from GM, he co-founded Jar Head Salsa with his son in 2009 and has since described himself as a small-business owner. [Sources: 18, 4]
Smith grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, before relocating to Michigan in 1969. He is described in news coverage as a Flint-area resident. Biographical reporting notes that he holds no prior elected public office. [Sources: 18, 3]
Following his primary win, Smith's campaign drew scrutiny over deleted social media posts, which were reported on in September 2026. He faces incumbent Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet in a district considered competitive. [Sources: 17, 3]
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, Michigan
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Small-business owner (retired GM engineer); Republican nominee for U.S. House, Michigan's 8th Congressional District
- Website
- tomsmithformi.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8newsSmith gave first interview since primary to Detroit News, expressed confidence in upset win
In his first interview since the primary, Smith told The Detroit News he was only 'a little bit' surprised he had won and said he believed he could upset McDonald Rivet. The paper described him as a 75-year-old retired GM employee and Flint-area small-business owner.
Mr. Smith goes to Washington? Surprise nominee on polls, deleted posts · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27newsFEC fundraising figures showed a large cash-on-hand gap between Smith and McDonald Rivet
A tracker citing FEC reports through July 15 listed Smith with about $243,000 raised since January 1, 2025 and about $220,000 cash on hand, compared with McDonald Rivet's roughly $4.25 million cash on hand.
How Thomas J. Smith Can Win MI-08 in 2026 · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23pollCook Political Report moved MI-08 race from 'Lean Democratic' to 'Likely Democratic'
After Smith's primary win, Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the race to 'Likely Democratic.' House Majority PAC also canceled a planned ~$1 million expenditure, while the Congressional Leadership Fund had spent $720,000 in the district.
Michigan GOP candidate deleted posts implying Trump ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23debateSmith declined to attend proposed SVSU Great Lakes Bay candidate forum, drawing criticism
Smith's campaign confirmed he would not attend the Saginaw Valley State University candidate forums without giving a reason. McDonald Rivet had accepted the invitation, but the forum was called off after Smith declined.
GOP Congressional candidate to skip mid-Michigan debate forum, drawing criticism · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsSmith's campaign underwent a visible reboot with a new website
CNN reported a 'visible reboot' of Smith's campaign after the primary, including a new website with themes of 'The Constitution, Faith, Freedom,' emphasizing constitutional rights, border enforcement, lower taxes, and reduced federal spending.
Michigan GOP candidate deleted posts implying Trump ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 4newsSmith won the Republican primary despite having suspended his campaign
Smith took about 50% of the vote, defeating Trump-endorsed Amir Hassan and Al Lemmo. He then announced he was reentering the race, becoming the Republican nominee for the November 3 general election against Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Michigan GOP candidate deleted posts implying Trump ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 16newsSmith suspended his campaign and endorsed Al Lemmo
Smith announced he was suspending his campaign after 'prayerful consideration' and urged supporters to unite behind fellow Republican Al Lemmo. He remained on the ballot despite the suspension.
Michigan GOP candidate deleted posts implying Trump ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) organizationThe NRCC publicly backed Smith after his primary win. A spokesperson said McDonald Rivet would be defeated "when they elect commonsense conservative Thomas Smith," and the committee congratulated Smith in a social-media post. detroitnews.com · Aug 5, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $243K
- Spent
- $23K
- Cash on hand
- $220K
As of Aug 24, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MI08312(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Mr. Smith goes to Washington? Surprise nominee on polls, deleted posts(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [2] Thomas J. Smith — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [3] How Thomas J. Smith Can Win MI-08 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [4] Issues - Tom Smith for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [5] GOP Congressional candidate to skip mid-Michigan debate forum, drawing criticism(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [6] Michigan GOP candidate deleted posts implying Trump ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [7] Media(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [8] GOP's Smith scores upset in mid-Michigan US House race after dropping out(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
- [9] Republican congressional candidates answer questions(opens in a new tab) Jul 4, 2026