Trump backs Gallrein in Massie primary on 19 May
Thomas Massie, the seven-term Republican congressman from Kentucky's fourth congressional district, will face Ed Gallrein in the Republican primary on 19 May. The challenge carries Donald Trump's endorsement, putting massie into a direct test with a rival backed by the party leader he has often defied.
Gallrein is a farmer and retired US Navy Seal. Trump has called Massie a “lowlife,” a “moron” and “weak and pathetic,” and at a rally in the district in March he said, “We’ve got to get rid of this loser. This guy is bad. He’s disloyal to the Republican party. He’s disloyal to the people of Kentucky, and most importantly, he is disloyal to the United States of America. And he’s got to be voted out of office as soon as possible.”
Massie and Trump
Massie is 55 years old and has built a record that has repeatedly put him at odds with Trump. He voted against Trump's tax and spending cuts bill, co-authored legislation compelling the justice department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, sought to revoke tariffs on Canada, and joined Democrats in opposing Trump's decisions to attack Venezuela and Iran without congressional approval.
He also said, “Bombing a country on the other side of the globe won’t make the Epstein files go away.” That line tied his opposition to the foreign strikes to the fight over the Epstein material, leaving the primary contest about both policy and loyalty inside the Republican Party.
Gallrein and Maga KY
Two of Trump's strategists, Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio, are leading Maga KY, the political action committee backing Gallrein's bid to unseat Massie. Early polling suggests a close race, while one source in the state Republican party said, “Massie is in trouble.” The same source pointed to his lack of presence in the district and weak ground game.
Others said Massie is well placed because of his fundraising and the advantage of incumbency. At Pee Wee’s Place in Crescent Springs, John Johnson said, “I’m leaning to Massie because I like his attitude when it comes to being straight up on issues” and added, “Him and Trump beat off each other every now and then, but he’s a constitutionalist, he speaks his piece and he’s right a lot of times.”
Kenton County Republicans
Shane Noem, chair of the Kenton county Republican party, said, “It’s a pick-a-side momen”. The primary on 19 May gives Republican voters in Kentucky's fourth congressional district the clearest chance yet to decide whether Massie's independence or Trump's endorsement carries more weight in the district.
