GOP dropout candidate puts 'communist' opponent on notice after stunning comeback win

A Michigan Republican who suspended his campaign, endorsed one of his opponents and then won the primary anyway is back on the trail — and promising to take the fight to Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.

Tom Smith surfaced at a GOP unity brunch in Macomb County on Wednesday, where he declared that he was "running" for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District and told Republican activists he would need their help to unseat Rivet. Smith did not return Fox News Digital's inquiries about whether he would be resuming his campaign.

"My name is Tom Smith, and I’m running for the 8th Congressional District to unseat communist comrade Rivet," Smith said at a Republican unity brunch in Macomb County. "And I’ll need your help to do it."

REPUBLICAN WHO REPORTEDLY DROPPED OUT DEFEATS TRUMP'S PICK IN KEY SWING-DISTRICT PRIMARY

Thomas Smith won his congressional primary in Michigan (Tom Smith for Congress via Facebook)

Meanwhile, in a statement to CNN, Smith reportedly said he was "humbled and honored" to be chosen to take the fight to Democrats in the November general election for Michigan's 8th Congressional District.

"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.

TRUMP-BACKED REPUBLICAN ADVANCES TO FACE VULNERABLE DEMOCRAT IN KEY HOUSE BATTLEGROUND

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, April 13, 2026. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

After dropping out of the race last month, Smith put his support behind his contender in the race, Al Lemmo, who finished third in Tuesday's GOP primary behind Thomas and Trump-backed candidate Amir Hassan.

Hassan came in second to Thomas by a substantial margin, putting out a video posted to social media on Wednesday after his defeat declaring there were "no excuses."

People complete their ballots  (Photo by REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images) (REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images)

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"I fell short last night. I make no excuse. It was a tough race," Hassan said in the video, which appeared to be recorded from his car. "I know what God has in store for me – something greater, even if I can't see it right now and don't understand."

He subsequently congratulated his opponents, told his supporters he "looked forward to seeing [them] again," and said that despite his loss, "it's still time to flip the eighth."