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Republican Thomas Massie who stood up to Trump defeated in Kentucky primary
TL;DR
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie was defeated in the Kentucky primary by Ed Gallrein, who received 54.4% of the vote. This outcome reflects Trump's increasing influence over the Republican Party, as Massie was one of the few lawmakers to openly challenge him.
Key points
- Thomas Massie lost the Kentucky primary to Ed Gallrein.
- Gallrein received 54.4% of the vote compared to Massie's 45.6%.
- The primary was one of the most expensive in US history, costing over $32 million.
- Trump's endorsement significantly influenced the outcome.
- Massie's defeat reflects Trump's tightening control over the Republican Party.
Mentioned in this story
Thomas MassieEd GallreinDonald TrumpBill CassidyKentucky
US President Donald Trump has tightened his grip on the Republican Party as Kentucky voters ousted one of the few conservative lawmakers willing to openly challenge his authority.
Congressman Thomas Massie‘s defeat, which was predicted by US news networks, including NBC and CNN, about two hours after polls closed on Tuesday, marks another victory in Trump’s campaign to punish dissent within Republican ranks.
With an estimated 72 percent of the vote counted, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein led with 54.4 percent of the vote to Massie’s 45.6 percent.
The Associated Press news agency called the race for Gallrein, whose campaign was backed by Trump’s endorsement as well as millions of dollars from pro-Trump and pro-Israel political lobby groups.
The contest, widely described as the most expensive House of Representatives primary in US history, saw more than $32m spent on advertising and offered the latest evidence of Trump’s hold over Republicans. It followed the primary defeat on Saturday of another Trump critic, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, as well as losses for dissenting Republican state lawmakers in Indiana earlier this month.
“Massie got Trumped. Donald Trump is the sun and the moon and the stars in the Republican Party in Kentucky,” Kentucky-based Republican strategist TJ Litafik said.
A test of Trump’s influence
The Kentucky vote was closely watched as a test of whether Trump’s hold on Republican voters remained firm despite concerns over his war on Iran, growing inflation and declining personal approval ratings, and whether there was still space in the party for lawmakers willing to break with him.
Massie had angered Trump by opposing US military action in Iran and Venezuela, criticising aid to Israel, resisting parts of the president’s agenda, and backing efforts to release files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The president spent months attacking Massie, a libertarian-leaning seven-term congressman, calling him a “moron”, a “nut job” and a “major sleazebag”.
“Dealing with him is just horrible. I don’t think he’s a Republican… He’s not a libertarian,” Trump told reporters after polls opened on Tuesday.
“Sometimes they say he’s really a Dumb-ocrat. He votes against us all the time,” Trump said, using a nickname he frequently deploys against Democrats.
Q&A
What percentage of the vote did Thomas Massie receive in the Kentucky primary?
Thomas Massie received 45.6% of the vote in the Kentucky primary.
Who defeated Thomas Massie in the Kentucky primary?
Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by Trump's endorsement, defeated Thomas Massie.
How much money was spent on the Kentucky primary race?
The Kentucky primary race saw over $32 million spent on advertising, making it one of the most expensive in US history.
What does Massie's defeat indicate about Trump's influence in the Republican Party?
Massie's defeat indicates that Trump's grip on the Republican Party is tightening, as he continues to punish dissent within its ranks.
