Republicans embrace candidate who dropped out after winning primary
Republicans began to coalesce around nominee Thomas Smith, whose defunct campaign shocked Trump-back Navy veteran Amir Hassan in Tuesday’s primary.
TL;DR
- Thomas Smith, who had suspended his campaign, won the Republican primary for Michigan's 8th District.
- Smith, an underfunded candidate, defeated Trump-backed veteran Amir Hassan.
- The National Republican Congressional Committee and RNC Chairman Joe Gruters have offered support to Smith.
- Smith previously worked as an engineer at General Motors and owns a salsa company.
- The 8th District is considered 'lean Democrat' by Cook Political Report, despite Trump winning it by 2 points in the past.
- Some GOP operatives believe Hassan's loss was due to poor campaigning and lack of resources.