Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeats Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky primary

Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer, defeated incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie in a Republican primary election Tuesday in Kentucky's 4th congressional district, according to a race call by The Associated Press. Gallrein, backed by President Donald Trump, won with 54.4% of the vote to Massie's 45.6%, with 74% of the vote counted when the race was called shortly before 8 p.m.

Massie, a seven-term congressman who has served since 2012, became the latest Republican incumbent to lose a primary to a Trump-endorsed challenger. The contest was the most expensive primary in the history of the House of Representatives.

Trump had repeatedly called for voters to support Gallrein over Massie, describing the incumbent as a "major sleazebag" and "the worst Republican congressman in history." In the three days before the primary, Trump published more than a dozen messages against Massie on his Truth social network.

Massie had broken with Trump on several key votes and policy positions. He voted against Trump's tax and spending bill last year over concerns about the national deficit. He also disagreed with the president on aid to Israel, the Iran war, and efforts to release files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Massie led a Republican charge to release the Epstein files.

In his concession speech Tuesday, Massie highlighted his disagreements with Trump on these issues. He argued that people in Washington "tried to buy my vote" but "couldn't buy it," characterizing the primary race as one that "went on longer than Vietnam." Last week, Massie had referred to himself as the "main event" on Trump's revenge tour.

Gallrein made clear throughout his campaign that he would support the president's agenda unequivocally and accused Massie of siding with the "radical left" over his own party. In his victory speech, Gallrein said: "Now my focus is on advancing the president's and the party's agenda to put America first and Kentucky always."

Gallrein, described as having little charisma and without strong oratory skills, ran a discrete campaign but benefited from Trump's explicit backing. He will now compete in November's midterm election.

Trump told reporters late Tuesday about Massie's defeat: "He was a bad guy. He deserves to lose." Trump allies celebrated Gallrein's victory.

The Kentucky primary was widely seen as a key test of President Trump's decade-long grip on the Republican Party. Trump has successfully campaigned for the ousters of other Republican state lawmakers in Indiana and Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. On Tuesday, Trump also added Sen. John Cornyn of Texas to his target list by endorsing Cornyn's opponent, Ken Paxton.