Ed Gallrein won Kentucky’s Republican House primary against incumbent Thomas Massie, backed and endorsed by President Donald Trump. The result added to a pattern of Republican lawmakers losing primaries after angering Trump, including defeats of other Republicans backed by Trump-endorsed challengers. Massie, in Congress since 2012, was known for outspoken positions such as pushing for Jeffrey Epstein files, criticizing the war in Iran, and voting against the president’s signature tax legislation. After his loss, Massie addressed supporters with chants and argued for voting principles over party and for adherence to the Constitution rather than shifting political winds. Gallrein credited Trump, emphasized military service and loyalty, and accused Massie of abandoning Trump and the party.
"Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie lost his Republican House primary Tuesday, becoming the latest Republican lawmaker to anger President Donald Trump and then fall to a primary challenger backed by the president. Trump handpicked and endorsed Ed Gallrein, whose victory demonstrated the president's influence over GOP voters and growing frustration with Massie's opposition to Trump. In recent weeks several other Republicans have been defeated by Trump-endorsed challengers, including Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and several Indiana state senators who defied him on redistricting."
"Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, was one of the most outspoken holdouts. He pushed for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, criticized the war in Iran and voted against the president's signature tax legislation last year. Still, he tried to convince voters that they could be for both him and Trump. The race was the most expensive U.S. House primary in history."
"After losing, Massie took the stage before a fired-up crowd that cheered and chanted, including slogans such as "no more wars" and "America First!" "We stirred up something. There is a yearning in this country for someone who will vote for principles over party," Massie said in his speech, which lasted over 20 minutes. He also criticized unwavering fealty to Trump in Congress: "If the legislative branch always votes whichever way the wind is blowing, then we have mob rule," he said. But if lawmakers follow the Constitution, "we have a republic." Massie signed off by teasing a run in 2028, saying, "we'll talk about it later.""
"Gallrein delivered a shorter, more muted speech at his victory party in Covington, where he first thanked Trump, who visited Kentucky in March to give Gallrein a boost. Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, ran on his military service and loyalty to the president and accused Massie of forsaking Trump and the party. He is favored to win the gene"
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