Trump’s grip on the GOP remains strong. His candidate pick for Kentucky’s 4th congressional district defeated a 7-term incumbent.Ed Gallrein was called as the winner against longtime Rep. Thomas Massie early Tuesday night. Massie conceded soon after.The result showed the president’s persisting influence over Republican voters, adding to a growing number of Trump-backed primary challengers to defeat GOP lawmakers who angered him in his second term. Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, clash with Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and voting against his signature tax legislation last year.They were also divided on the war in Iran, and in Massie’s concession speech, chants of “no more wars” broke out.The congressman tried to convince voters that they could be both for him and for Trump. Gallrein, a farmer from Shelby County and former Navy SEAL, ran on his military service and loyalty to the president. He accused Massie of forsaking Trump and the party.The race was the most expensive in U.S. House history.Trump and Massie were trading barbs right up until the end.The president made several social media posts disparaging Massie in the days leading up to polls closing, even up to the final hours. On the Democratic side, Gallrein will face Melissa Strange, who defeated Jesse Brewer.Strange says she’s part of a group of candidates trying to fix what they say is broken in government.Gallrein is expected to win the general election in the deeply red district.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Trump’s grip on the GOP remains strong. His candidate pick for Kentucky’s 4th congressional district defeated a 7-term incumbent.
Ed Gallrein was called as the winner against longtime Rep. Thomas Massie early Tuesday night. Massie conceded soon after.
The result showed the president’s persisting influence over Republican voters, adding to a growing number of Trump-backed primary challengers to defeat GOP lawmakers who angered him in his second term.
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, clash with Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and voting against his signature tax legislation last year.
They were also divided on the war in Iran, and in Massie’s concession speech, chants of “no more wars” broke out.
The congressman tried to convince voters that they could be both for him and for Trump.
Gallrein, a farmer from Shelby County and former Navy SEAL, ran on his military service and loyalty to the president. He accused Massie of forsaking Trump and the party.
The race was the most expensive in U.S. House history.
Trump and Massie were trading barbs right up until the end.
The president made several social media posts disparaging Massie in the days leading up to polls closing, even up to the final hours.
On the Democratic side, Gallrein will face Melissa Strange, who defeated Jesse Brewer.
Strange says she’s part of a group of candidates trying to fix what they say is broken in government.
Gallrein is expected to win the general election in the deeply red district.