Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie has filed to run for the US House of Representatives in 2028, just days after losing his primary to Donald Trump's preferred candidate, Ed Gallrein. The conservative Republican, who has been a frequent critic of the president, stated on social media that the filing allows him to raise funds for his political operations while he considers his future options.
Massie lost the primary by a 55-45 margin, a result celebrated by Trump, who claimed the congressman “deserves to lose.” The race became the most expensive House primary in history, with over 94% of spending coming from outside Kentucky, according to local reports. Massie attributed his defeat to outside influence, saying on NBC's Meet the Press, “They couldn't buy my vote in 14 years, so they bought this seat.”
Despite the loss, Massie has not ruled out a future run for higher office, including a potential presidential bid. He remains in Congress until January 2029 and has been a vocal opponent of Trump's tariff policies and spending. Massie was one of only two House Republicans to vote against Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act and co-authored legislation that forced the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Massie's district covers northern Kentucky, including suburbs of Louisville and Cincinnati. The primary campaign was notably contentious, with Massie criticizing the use of AI in political advertising, including an ad that depicted him entering a hotel room with two female Democratic leaders. The race drew significant funding from billionaire donors and groups associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
