99chambers
Called Nov 4Unofficial results

Michigan's 8th District

U.S. House · Michigan

Kristen McDonald Rivet won re-election by 13.6 points over Tom Smith.

Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · winner · incumbent
55.5%195,849
Tom SmithRepublican
41.9%147,851
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
1.5%5,169
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
0.8%2,857
Jim CashaGreen
0.3%1,044
Write-inNonpartisan
0.0%119
94% of the expected vote counted · 352,889 votes

Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Where the race moved

Against the 2024 presidential vote

The seat's recent races

EvenD+10.32022 HouseD+6.62024 HouseR+2.02024 Pres.D+13.62026 House

Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

Money in this race

Each line compares the two sides on one scale: their campaigns, and outside groups spending for them or against their opponent.

Kristen McDonald RivetThomas Smith
$6.9M
Raised by the campaign
$561.1K
$4.3M
Spent by the campaign
$476K
$2.7M
Cash on hand
$85.1K
$519.4K
Outside spending for them
$185.9K
$27.1K
Outside spending against their opponent
$288.9K
$7.5M
All money helping them
$1M

Top funders

Outside groups and direct contributors, ranked by what they put in; the color shows which candidate it helps.

America PACFor Smith, against Rivet$257.7K
NO GOING BACK PAC INC.For Smith, against Rivet$184.3K
CENTER FORWARD COMMITTEEFor Rivet$150K
ROLLING SEA ACTION FUNDFor Rivet$150K
Charter Schools Action PACFor Rivet$54.2K
AB PACFor Rivet$43.5K
WelcomePACFor Rivet$35.1K
National Association of Realtors Political Action CommitteeFor Rivet$31.9K
Building TogetherAgainst Smith$11.7K
For Michigan Action FundAgainst Smith$11.3K
Show 2 more

Campaign money: FEC, through Oct 14, 2026. Outside spending: independent expenditures by super PACs, parties and other groups, primary and general, as reported to the FEC through Nov 1, 2026, updated Nov 3, 2026. It leaves out spending not reported as independent expenditures (most issue ads and much dark money), so it understates all outside money. The FEC lists only each candidate's largest spenders; totals count every spender.

Source: FEC campaign filings; FEC independent expendituresUpdated Nov 3, 2026, 1:05 AM ET

Pre-election forecast (final, Nov 3)

Our model's last run before Election Day, Nov 3, 2026. It no longer updates.

Kristen McDonald Rivet
95%
Thomas Smith
5%
Projected margin
D+12.2
How the forecast works →

The candidates

Kristen McDonald Rivet (D)
Incumbent U.S. representative (2025–present)Tom Smith (R)

Also on the ballot: Kathy Goodwin (Working Class), 1.5%; C. Mia Pettus (Libertarian), 0.8%; Jim Casha (Green), 0.3%; Write-in (Nonpartisan), 0.0%

Changes to this page

  • · Race called for Rivet.