Trump-backed Michigan hopeful loses primary to rival who quit race
What's new: The upset scrambled a race Trump had tried to shape and underscored limits to his sway in a key battleground state.
A candidate backed by Donald Trump lost a Michigan primary to an opponent who had already suspended his campaign, an upset in one of the state’s closely watched Republican contests. The result dealt a setback to Trump’s effort to steer the field in a battleground state that will remain central to national politics in 2026. The New York Times reported that the winning rival had halted active campaigning before voting but still prevailed. The loss added to a volatile primary season in Michigan, where several high-profile races have tested the strength of party leaders, ideological factions and endorsement politics.