The Politics of Withdrawal: A Glimpse into Michigan's Republican Fractures In a state where the lines between red and blue are increasingly blurred, Thomas Smith's unexpected victory in Michigan's eighth district Republican primary contest has raised more questions than answers about the state of Republican politics in the state.
Last month, Smith had withdrawn from the race, but he emerged victorious over his Trump backed rival, Amir Hassan.
The outcome can be attributed to the unpredictable nature of Republican primary contests, where candidates often drop out at short notice without explanation only to re emerge later on.