Hebron, Kentucky: Thomas Massie’s primary loss in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District ended his reelection bid after Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein won Tuesday’s Republican primary.
The Associated Press, NBC News and other outlets called the race less than two hours after polls closed. Massie trailed Gallrein by nearly nine points when outlets projected the result.
President Donald Trump had urged voters to remove Massie, calling him an “obstructionist” on Truth Social before the primary. Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, ran with Trump’s support.
Massie has represented the district since 2012. He often broke with House Republicans and helped push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files with Rep. Ro Khanna.
The race became the most expensive House primary on record. AdImpact said $32.6 million was spent on advertising, including $7.9 million on attack ads against Massie.
Trump allies and pro-Israel groups funded major spending in the district. Massie has opposed US aid to Israel and often takes an anti-interventionist stance.
Read: Bill Cassidy Primary Loss Sends Letlow to Runoff
Massie told supporters his campaign had become a movement. Chants of “2028” followed him during his election-night speech in Hebron.
Kentucky law bars Massie from running as an independent for the same seat after losing the primary. He told CNN before the vote that he did not know what he would do next.
The Thomas Massie primary loss follows other setbacks for Republicans who crossed Trump, including Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Indiana lawmakers who opposed redistricting.
