Trump's Political Hit List: Massie Falls to Gallrein in Kentucky Showdown
President Trump scored another political victory Tuesday night as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was ousted from his House seat by Ed Gallrein, a farmer and retired Navy SEAL handpicked by the former president. The Bluegrass State’s Fourth Congressional District race turned into a financial battlefield, racking up over $32 million in political ads, making it the most expensive primary in U.S. history.
“I entered as a Navy SEAL officer in 1983 because I had the audacity to think I could make a difference,” Gallrein declared after his win, vowing to serve his district and party with that same boldness. His victory over Massie came by a solid 10 percentage points, showcasing the power of Trump's endorsement.
Massie, a seven-term congressman with an MIT pedigree, found himself on the wrong side of Trump after breaking ranks on key votes and leading the charge to release documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s supporters were mobilized to ensure Massie's defeat, demonstrating the former president's grip on the GOP.
This loss for Massie follows Trump's successful intervention in Louisiana, where he helped defeat Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who had voted to convict him during impeachment proceedings. Trump’s influence is palpable; earlier this month, he also targeted incumbent Republican state senators in Indiana who opposed his redistricting efforts.
Next on Trump’s radar could be Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who campaigned for Massie. With Colorado's primary looming on June 30, Boebert might find herself in the crosshairs of Trump's wrath.
Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), another Trump-endorsed candidate, triumphed in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), securing over 60% of the vote against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who garnered only 30%.
In Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who famously resisted Trump’s demands to “find” votes post-2020 election, floundered in his gubernatorial bid, capturing just 14.5% of the vote and failing to advance to the runoff.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare mogul Rick Jackson will face off in next month’s runoff, with the winner likely to challenge former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.
Trump has thrown his support behind Jones as he aims to replace term-limited GOP Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Polls closed on Tuesday just hours after Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his Senate showdown against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
In a significant blow to Cornyn, Trump labeled Paxton a “winner” and “true MAGA warrior,” as he prepares for a fierce general election battle against state Rep. James Talarico (D-50th Dist.).
