Thomas Massie, a seven-term Republican congressman and frequent critic of Donald Trump, has lost his primary election in Kentucky's fourth congressional district to Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy Seal and farmer backed by the former president. The result marks a significant victory for Trump's influence within the Republican Party, as Gallrein was recruited into the race by Trump himself.
Massie's defeat adds him to a list of Republicans—including Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Mitt Romney—who have been ousted or retired due to their opposition to Trump. Speaking after his loss, Massie said, 'I've got seven months left,' indicating he intends to continue pushing back against Trump during his remaining time in office.
In the same primary, Kentucky voters nominated Trump-endorsed Andy Barr to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Mitch McConnell next year. The Kentucky results were part of a larger primary night across six states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, and Idaho.
Other notable outcomes included Tommy Tuberville winning the Republican nomination for Alabama governor, Keisha Lance Bottoms securing the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor, and Chris Rabb winning the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's third congressional district. In Georgia, lieutenant governor Burt Jones and healthcare executive Rick Jackson will face a runoff for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, while congressmen Mike Collins and Derek Dooley will compete in a runoff for the Senate nomination against Democrat Jon Ossoff.
Trump also endorsed Texas attorney general Ken Paxton in a Senate primary runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, a move that has angered some within the party. Meanwhile, the Senate voted to debate a war powers resolution on Iran after Republican senator Bill Cassidy switched his vote to side with Democrats, days after losing his own primary to a Trump-backed challenger.
