Soon, the Republican Party will hold a critical primary that could demonstrate the power of President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
On May 19, Republicans in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District will decide whether they want Rep. Thomas Massie—who frequently bucks the party line—to remain in Congress.
Massie, a Republican with a stubborn libertarian streak, was one of just two House Republicans to vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last July, arguing it would increase the deficit.
Additionally, Massie introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation that compelled the Department of Justice to release millions of documents on the now-deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump was initially opposed to releasing the files before ultimately supporting the passage of the legislation.
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Massie has also voted repeatedly to restrain the president’s war powers, criticizing his intervention against Venezuela and Iran.
In a statement to The Daily Signal, Massie said, “I will win this race because my constituents know I am consistently America First. I backed the SAVE Act, voted to secure the border by funding the wall and [the Department of Homeland Security], and I will never stop fighting to drain the Swamp. … I don’t hide from my record, I show up, I explain my votes, and I answer directly to the people I represent.”
Facing up against Massie is Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL who carries Trump’s endorsement and has accused Massie of siding with Democrats.
The expensive primary will be a major test for Massie, who has been in Congress since 2012.
Trump’s endorsement proved extremely effective in recent Indiana state Senate Republican primaries, in which five lawmakers who opposed a Trump-backed redistricting push were ousted.
Massie, however, emphasizes his areas of agreement with Trump in campaign spots and accuses Gallrein of being disloyal to the president, highlighting the fact that Gallrein changed his registration from Republican to independent in 2016.
Massie has continued to appear publicly with heterodox figures in the conservative orbit, rallying with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and recently appearing on Tucker Carlson’s online show.
Gallrein appeared at a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, with Trump on March 11.
Gallrein senior adviser Tim Murtaugh told The Daily Signal in a statement, “President Trump has given Ed Gallrein his strongest endorsement in this race while Thomas Massie has made it his business to stick his finger in the president’s eye at every opportunity. Massie has aggressively tried to derail the America First agenda, voted against major legislative priorities of the administration, speaks about Iran like he wants the mullahs to win, and has become The New York Times’ favorite Republican.”
Murtaugh added, “It is far too late for Massie to try to return to the fold now and it’s a pity that he’s chosen to end his career this way. Ed Gallrein is an America First conservative who will stand with President Trump and go to work for the people of Kentucky’s 4th District. The only person Thomas Massie serves is Thomas Massie.”
Massie told The Daily Signal in a statement, “My opponent, Ed Gallrein, refuses to explain to Kentucky voters why he abandoned the Republican Party twice, once just days after President Trump secured the nomination in 2016.”
He continued: “He won’t explain why nearly 80% of his max donors also bankrolled Democrats like Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries, and Joe Biden. And he refuses to answer for chairing a business that taught companies how to implement woke DEI programs.”
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