Republican candidate Tom Smith removed business social media accounts after an investigation uncovered a pattern of far right rhetoric and conspiracy theories. A CNN KFile review of 13,000 archived posts revealed a repost suggesting the death penalty for political opponents of Donald Trump, along with repeated accusations of treason, attacks on Muslim Americans and Islam, and birther theories about Barack Obama.

The 75 year old retired General Motors employee and Flint area business owner secured the nomination for a key Michigan swing district last month after a primary victory over a Trump endorsed candidate. Smith won the nomination despite having suspended his campaign prior to Election Day.