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Trump-Backed Candidate Wins High-Cost Kentucky Primary
(MENAFN) A Trump-endorsed Republican contender, Ed Gallrein, has secured victory over long-serving Representative Thomas Massie in a Kentucky primary election that drew extraordinary levels of financial and political involvement. According to reports, Gallrein won with 54.9% of the vote compared to Massie’s 45.1%, and is now set to compete against Democratic nominee Melissa Strange in the upcoming general election.
Massie had represented Kentucky’s 4th congressional district since 2012 and had previously withstood multiple primary challenges with relative ease. However, this election cycle brought significantly stronger opposition, fueled by pressure from both the Trump political network and major pro-Israel donors.
Tensions escalated after Massie opposed a major federal spending package and also pushed for the release of unredacted Epstein-related files, positions that reportedly irritated the president. In response, Trump pledged support for a challenger, saying he would back “a wonderful American Patriot” in the primary contest.
Gallrein, a former military officer and Navy SEAL who had previously run unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2024, became Trump’s chosen candidate. Leading up to the vote, Trump actively campaigned in Kentucky in support of Gallrein, and senior officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, also appeared at campaign events.
Financial backing played a major role in the race. According to reports and federal filings, organizations including AIPAC, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and other aligned donors contributed approximately $15.5 million to support Gallrein’s campaign. Massie, who has frequently criticized U.S. military aid to Israel and the influence of lobbying groups such as AIPAC, described the race as politically symbolic, stating it is “a referendum on whether Israel gets to buy seats in Congress.”
Overall spending in the contest reached roughly $33 million, making it the most expensive primary election in U.S. history, according to reports.
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