- President Donald Trump and his political operation made unseating Rep. Thomas Massie their mission in 2026, turning his 4th District primary into the most expensive House race ever, in terms of advertising.
- Trump endorsed former Navy SEAL, Ed Gallrein.
- Ed Gallrein won the Kentucky primary with 54.4% of the votes against Thomas Massie, who received 45.6%.
- Melissa Strange won the Kentucky primary with 73.3% of the votes against Jesse Brewer, who received 26.7%.
- Ed Gallrein will defeat incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican primary in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, CNN's Decision Desk projects. Massie has drawn the ire of Trump and has been targeted during the president's second term.
- Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL, was recruited into the race by Trump and his allies, going into the race with the president's endorsement.
- Rep. Thomas Massie has served seven terms in Congress while opposing both party establishments for over a decade. He is currently in a highly contested primary race.
- Polls in eastern Kentucky closed at 6 p.m. ET and there are significant leads towards Gallrein as the results come in.
- Voting has been extended for several hours at a polling location in Fulton County, Georgia, due to a public safety incident.
- President Donald Trump met with Ed Gallrein and encouraged him to challenge Massie, identifying the contest as key to assessing his influence over the party.
- Gallrein has framed his campaign as a referendum on loyalty to Trump, stating he is 'Trump's handpicked choice.'
- Ed Gallrein has won the Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District over Rep. Thomas Massie, notching another win for President Donald Trump in his push to eliminate political rivals.
- Gallrein was aided by an extraordinary advertising blitz fueled largely by pro-Trump and pro-Israel groups.
- Trump threw his political weight behind Gallrein while slamming Massie as a “disaster.”
- Massie, known as an anti-war libertarian, drew ire from Trump and his allies for opposing the war in Iran and the president’s “big beautiful bill” spending package.
- Massie faced an onslaught of ads led by MAGA KY, a super PAC directed by Trump adviser Chris LaCivita.
- Ads promoting Gallrein or attacking Massie accounted for more than $19 million of the $33 million spent on advertising in the primary.
Ed Gallrein, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has emerged victorious in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District Republican primary against incumbent Thomas Massie, capturing 54.4% of the vote compared to Massie's 45.6%. This contest marked a crucial effort for Trump, who had targeted Massie due to his anti-establishment stance, particularly during Trump's second term.12378
Trump's backing of Gallrein included significant financial support, as a staggering $19 million of the $33 million total spent on ads in the primary was directed at advancing Gallrein's campaign or attacking Massie, highlighting an intense political battle. Trump described Massie as a 'disaster' and directly challenged his loyalty, making Gallrein's campaign a pivotal referendum on their shared alignments.6
Gallrein's background as a farmer and former Navy SEAL framed him as a fresh alternative to Massie's decade-long incumbency, during which he faced backlash for being a libertarian who opposed various spending measures and foreign military actions. Massie's inability to gain support from Trump's base contributed to his defeat, sealing Gallrein's status as a formidable player in future political contests. As Gallrein prepares for the general election, the outcome reflects Trump's continued influence over Republican primaries and serves as a warning for incumbents who stray from the former president's directives.
“Ed Gallrein, supported by President Trump, has successfully unseated Rep. Thomas Massie in the GOP primary, with a significant advertising push. This election reflects ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, highlighting Trump's influence over party dynamics.”
Context on the Gallrein-Massie primary battle
Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL, was encouraged by Trump to run against Massie, who has served seven terms in Congress. Gallrein framed his campaign as a referendum on loyalty to Trump, positioning himself as Trump's handpicked choice. The primary became one of the most expensive House races in history, largely due to the heavy advertising against Massie.
