"Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal critics of United States President Donald Trump, has lost his primary race to Trump-backed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in a major political victory for the Republican leader. Massie had angered Trump by publicly opposing military action against Iran and sponsoring a bill that resulted in the release of files linked to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and resisting parts of the president's agenda. His defeat in the most expensive US House of Representatives primary race in history highlighted Trump's continued influence over the Republican Party and the political risks faced by Republicans who break with him."
"The result is also likely to increase concerns among Trump critics in the party that there is little space left to openly oppose the president. Here are the key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The president successfully helped unseat eight-term Massie, who had been critical of the unconditional US military aid to Israel, by throwing his support behind retired Navy SEAL Gallrein."
"He targeted Massie for breaking with him on key issues, including opposing the president's signature tax legislation over national debt concerns, sponsoring and championing the Epstein Files Transparency Act and opposing the US-Israel war on Iran. Trump also heavily swayed the state's US Senate race by endorsing Andy Barr and offering a third MAGA candidate, Nate Morris, an ambassadorship just weeks before the election to encourage him to drop out."
"The race between Massie and Gallrein was the most expensive congressional primary in US history, reaching more than $34m in publicity spending. More than $19m was spent to benefit Gallrein, with nearly $9.4m of that coming from American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and oth"
Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL backed by Donald Trump, defeated Congressman Thomas Massie in a major Republican primary. Massie had opposed military action against Iran, challenged Trump’s signature tax legislation over national debt concerns, and sponsored a bill tied to the release of files linked to convicted Jeffrey Epstein. Massie also resisted parts of the president’s agenda, angering Trump. The Massie-Gallrein contest became the most expensive US House primary in history, with over $34 million in publicity spending and more than $19 million benefiting Gallrein, including nearly $9.4 million from AIPAC. Trump’s involvement also influenced other races, including a US Senate contest and efforts to shape candidate participation.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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