Thomas Massie received loud cheers on election night in Hebron, Kentucky, with supporters urging him to run for president and celebrating his libertarian persona, including chugging raw milk. Despite the adulation, he lost the Republican primary for a House district in northern Kentucky by a 55% to 45% margin with over 95% of precincts reporting. Massie had held the district since winning a special election in 2012. His defeat was notable compared with other Republicans who faced Trump-backed primary challenges, such as Bill Cassidy, who finished third after Trump denounced him. Massie’s opponent was Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, but the real contest was framed as opposition to Donald Trump. Massie’s repeated breaks with Trump and Republican leadership alienated voters who wanted a party regular instead.
"For them, his repeated insistence on breaking with the GOP left them wanting a party regular in his stead. Nominally, Massie was defeated by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and failed state senate candidate who now, thanks to the district's deep-red nature, is a shoo-in to win a House seat in November."
#us-elections #republican-party-primaries #donald-trump #kentucky-politics #libertarian-conservatism
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