President Donald Trump-backed congressional candidate Amir Hassan appeared headed for defeat in Michigan's 8th Congressional District Republican primary on Wednesday, trailing rival Thomas J. Smith, who suspended his campaign and endorsed another candidate less than three weeks before Election Day.

With 92 percent of votes counted, according to Associated Press estimates, at the time of writing, Smith led the three-way primary with 50.4 percent of the vote, compared with Hassan's 33.2 percent and Al Lemmo's 16.4 percent.

Smith held a lead of more than 10,600 votes, larger than the estimated number of ballots left to count, meaning Hassan cannot catch him if the remaining-vote estimate is accurate.

Decision Desk HQ projected Smith as the winner late Tuesday night.

The result is a setback for Hassan, a Flint native and former federal law enforcement officer who received Trump's endorsement last month.

Hassan was also backed by the National Republican Congressional Committee as Republicans target the Democratic-held district in next year's midterms, according to The Detroit News.

The outcome is all the more unusual because Smith effectively ended his campaign on July 18, when he announced he was suspending his bid and endorsed fellow Republican contender Al Lemmo.

Despite dropping out, Smith remained on the ballot and continued to attract enough support to take a commanding lead.

Smith said after the result became clear that he was "humbled and honored that Republicans have chosen me to take the fight to Kristen McDonald Rivet," The Detroit News reports.

Michigan's 8th District is one of the GOP's top pickup opportunities.

The seat is currently held by Democratic Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, who won reelection in 2024 even as Trump carried the district. The Democrat was unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

This is a developing story. More to follow...