Galine Defeats Massie in Kentucky Republican Primary
America First Works attributes its extensive field operations in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District to Ed Galine’s victory over incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie. The advocacy branch of the America First Policy Institute has actively supported Galine, launching a comprehensive campaign that included sending over a million text messages to voters in Northern Kentucky. According to AFW President Ashley Hayek, their efforts targeted more than 125,000 voters in a brief timeframe to help secure the win.
“Our goal has been to mobilize voters for quite a while, and honestly, they didn’t require much persuasion,” Hayek remarked. “The America First supporters are eager for leaders who truly champion their values. President Trump saw Ed as that individual, and so did we, and so did the people of Kentucky.”
In the Republican primary on May 19, Galine emerged victorious, receiving 45,623 votes, equating to 54.4%, while Massie garnered 38,245 votes, or 45.6%. The outcome was confirmed at 7:54 p.m.
A poll conducted by Quantus Insights of 908 likely Republican voters just before the election indicated that Galine was leading with 48.3% compared to Massey’s 43.1%.
In January, Trump publicly endorsed Galine, labeling him a “winner” and an “American hero.” On Truth Social, the former president highlighted Galine’s qualifications, noting his service as a Navy SEAL and Army Ranger, saying that the 4th District needs someone capable of contributing to the goal of “making America great again.”
AFW’s involvement in the campaign started well ahead of Election Day. They formally endorsed Galine in March and began grassroots efforts, including canvassing in Kentucky’s 4th District. At that time, Hayek expressed that Kentuckians overwhelmingly supported Trump and deserved a representative like Galine, criticizing Massie for breaching trust.
Hayek further criticized Massie’s vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a key legislative achievement during Trump’s second term. The act was later renamed the “Working Families Tax Relief Act.” She asserted that the bill aimed to provide more financial relief to working families in Kentucky, including possible refunds of up to $1,000 at tax time and a child tax credit of $2,200 per child, alongside zero taxes on tips and overtime.
The day preceding the primary, AFW hosted a policy event featuring Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, who joined Galine as a civilian and fellow veteran. Hegseth emphasized that President Trump requires strong supporters, stating that those who rally behind the leader must embody loyalty and teamwork.
“Being consistently adversarial can become an excuse for inaction,” he remarked. “Ultimately, perpetual obstruction isn’t true leadership; it’s merely commentary.” Hegseth concluded by suggesting that Kentucky faces a choice between sending a “warrior” or a “disruptor” to represent them, adding that he believed the choice was quite clear.
