Ed Gallrein has won Republican nomination for the US House in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, beating incumbent Representative Thomas Massie.
The result shows US President Donald Trump’s persisting influence over GOP voters, adding to a growing number of Trump-backed primary challengers to defeat Republican lawmakers who angered him in his second term. It also marks a win for pro-Israel groups and donors who poured money into the race to defeat Massie, part of the Republican’s isolation wing who has called for ending aid to Israel and claimed the race was a referendum on “whether Israel gets to buy seats in Congress.”
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, fell into Trump’s crosshairs in part by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and denouncing the war in Iran.
Gallrein, a former Navy Seal who avoided making public appearances on the campaign trail, ran on his military service and loyalty to the president. He accused Massie of forsaking Trump and the party.
Gallrein is expected to win the general election in the deeply red district.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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