2026 Midterms

Thomas Massie Loses Primary to Trump-Backed Ed Gallrein

Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, was bolstered by record spending in the Kentucky U.S. House GOP contest.
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Thomas Massie Loses Primary to Trump-Backed Ed Gallrein
(Left) Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks after losing the Republican party's nomination during an election night watch party at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Ky., on May 19, 2026. (Right) Ed Gallrein, Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky, walks toward the speaking venue ahead of an America First Workers Special Event in Hebron, Ky., on May 18, 2026. Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo; Jon Cherry/Getty Images
Jeff Louderback
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HEBRON, Ky.—Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) lost his Republican primary on May 19 to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.

President Donald Trump had endorsed Gallrein as part of his effort to get Massie removed from Congress.

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Jeff Louderback
Jeff Louderback
Reporter
Jeff Louderback covers major news and politics, including the Make America Healthy Again movement and regenerative farming. Since joining The Epoch Times in 2022, he has covered national elections, the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign, the East Palestine train derailment, and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Jeff has 30-plus years of professional experience as a reporter, editor, and author.