Endorsed by Trump, Ed Gallrein defeats Rep. Thomas Massie in GOP House primary

"Gallrein made clear throughout his campaign that he would support the president's agenda unequivocally and accused Massie of siding with the "radical left" over his own party. Massie, who says he agrees with Trump more than he conflicts, has frequently acted as a Republican foil to the president's agenda. He made national headlines as the Republican leading the fight, alongside California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, to call for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files."

"He consistently opposed Trump's involvement in foreign conflicts, introducing war powers resolutions to block further U.S. hostilities. He was also one of two House GOP opposition votes on Trump's signature tax and spending package, the One Big Beautiful Bill. Massie has called the race a "referendum" on whether his constituents want a candidate who is willing to stand up to the president when they disagree and vote principles over party."

""Quietly, they will quite frequently tell me that they would like to take the position I'm taking, but they can't afford to die on that hill that day," Massie said on the campaign trail. "If they see that you don't die on the hill when you stand for what you campaigned on, even when the President deviates from that, I think there'll be more of them empowered to do the same.""

"During his second term, Trump has repeatedly attacked Massie, despite the two endorsing each other in 2024. Trump came to northern Kentucky in March and rallied support for Gallrein, whom he asked to run against Massie. Earlier this week, Trump released a video message on social media, encouraging northern Kentuckians to vote for Gallrein."

Ed Gallrein won a Kentucky Republican primary against Rep. Thomas Massie in a race called by The Associated Press. Gallrein campaigned on support for President Trump’s agenda and accused Massie of aligning with the “radical left” rather than the Republican Party. Massie said he agrees with Trump more than he conflicts and has often opposed Trump’s agenda, including efforts to block further U.S. hostilities through war powers resolutions and calling for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. Massie also voted against Trump’s signature tax and spending package. He framed the primary as a referendum on whether constituents want a candidate willing to stand up to the president and said colleagues privately wish they could take similar positions.

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