Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) lost his Republican House primary Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by President Donald Trump, marking another test of Trump’s power over GOP voters and another defeat for a Republican incumbent who angered him.
Trump’s Pick Defeats Massie In Kentucky
The Associated Press called the race for Gallrein in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, saying the result showed Trump’s continuing grip on Republican primaries. Massie joined a growing list of Trump-targeted Republicans to fall this cycle, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and several Indiana state senators who defied Trump on redistricting.
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, built a reputation as one of the party’s most outspoken holdouts. He pushed for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, criticized the war in Iran and voted against Trump’s signature tax legislation last year. Still, Massie argued that voters could support both him and Trump. Prediction markets had moved against Massie ahead of the vote.
Gallrein Runs On Loyalty To Trump
Gallrein ran on his military record and loyalty to Trump, accusing Massie of abandoning the president and the party. AP said Gallrein is favored in November against Democrat Melissa Strange in the heavily Republican district.
Trump visited Kentucky in March to boost Gallrein and later attacked Massie online as “an obstructionist and a fool.” The President labeled Massie a “Weak and Pathetic RINO” while endorsing Gallrein.
Costly Primary Shows Trump’s Grip
The primary became the most expensive U.S. House primary in history. Massie enlisted Republican allies, including Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, while Gallrein appeared with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the closing stretch. Trump posted an image on Truth Social on Tuesday saying, “Ed Gallrein Wins! Endorsed by President Trump!”
Trump-backed Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) also won Kentucky’s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday to replace Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), defeating former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Elsewhere, in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity advanced uncontested toward a November race. In Georgia, Decision Desk HQ projected billionaire Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones would advance to a Republican runoff for governor.
Photo Courtesy: Philip Yabut on Shutterstock.com
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