Trump Targets Massie in Kentucky Primary
President Donald Trump has made a significant push to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in a crucial primary as voters prepare for Election Day decisions across various states. This race is among the most closely monitored of the 2026 primary cycle, arguably rivaled only by the contest in Texas for the Republican Senate seat. Trump has thrown his support behind Ed Galine, personally visiting the district and sending Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth to campaign with Galine recently.
In recent weeks, Trump has gained momentum following his actions against several Indiana senators who opposed his redistricting plan and the recent defeat of Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.). Cassidy, unable to move forward in the runoff against Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, lost significant ground. Furthermore, good news for Republicans has followed the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which allowed states, mostly in the South, to eliminate race-based gerrymandering that has benefited Democrats in red states. Additionally, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled against a successful referendum to alter congressional district boundaries, citing violations of state law.
Voters are also set to cast their ballots in states like Oregon, Idaho, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, with several notable House primaries expected.
Georgia and Alabama stand out for their significant races. Georgia’s Republican primary seeks to fill the seat of term-limited Governor Brian Kemp (R) and face Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) in November. Meanwhile, Republicans in Alabama aim to replace U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who faces minimal opposition for the governorship.
The voting deadlines vary: polls close at 7 PM ET in Georgia and Kentucky, 8 PM ET in Alabama and Pennsylvania, 10 PM ET in Idaho, and 11 PM ET in Oregon.
Update at 8:57 PM ET:
Lt. Gov. Bert Jones, a Trump supporter, and billionaire Rick Jackson, who has reportedly invested $73 million into his campaign, will advance to Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff.
Jones currently leads with 38% of the expected vote, sitting at 37.2% while Jackson trails at 34.5%.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, known for his 2020 accusations against Trump regarding Georgia’s election results, placed third and will not progress to the runoff.
Update at 8:51 PM ET:
Massie mentioned Galine’s name during his speech shortly before most networks began broadcasting. He said, “I would have liked to have gotten into the game sooner, but I had to call my opponent and concede, and it took me a while to find Ed Galine in Tel Aviv.” He added, “We have always done honorable things, and we will continue to do so,” which seems inconsistent with his earlier statements.
Update at 8:19 PM ET:
Massie informed supporters that he had called on Galine to concede, though he didn’t use her name.
Update at 8:17 PM ET:
Massie has long been a challenge for Trump, opposing many of his major initiatives. He voted against keeping the government funded and against the significant legislative package that included aspects of Trump’s campaign platform. Notably, he collaborated with Democrat Ro Khanna on a bill regarding the Epstein files, which, while not directly harmful to Trump, created challenges for his administration. That said, Massie hasn’t faced credible accusations and was one of the first to alert others about Epstein and ban him from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
In short, no Democrat has been as effective at blocking Trump’s policies as Thomas Massie has. Now, with Trump’s efforts to defeat him, it seems Massie’s political career might be nearing its end.
Even though Massie will continue to oppose Trump until his term ends in January 2027, this marks a clear win for Trump and signals his enduring influence within the Republican Party.
While it was indeed a costly primary—one of the most expensive in U.S. history—Trump’s investment has proven worthwhile.
Update at 8:04 PM ET:
Trump-backed newcomer Ed Galine has reportedly unseated long-serving Congressman Thomas Massie, according to the Associated Press among other outlets. This upset is part of Trump’s broader series of successes against a Republican establishment that has resisted him.
Update at 7:45 PM ET:
With 44% of expected votes tallied, Galine leads Massie 55.3% to 44.7%, according to the New York Times.
Update at 7:40 PM ET:
Georgia has become an intriguing state to watch, especially as Rep. Mike Collins leads the Republican Senate primary polls yet is unlikely to secure a win without a runoff. Former football coach Derek Dooley, backed by Rep. Buddy Carter and Gov. Brian Kemp, is also vying for a spot in the runoff, gaining traction with increased funding despite Trump’s lack of endorsement.
The victor will face Sen. Ossoff, who has maintained a low profile and refrained from controversy while securing substantial campaign funding.
In the gubernatorial primary, Trump has supported his ally, Lt. Gov. Bert Jones, while billionaire Rick Jackson’s late entrance has disrupted the race. Jackson, who self-funded his campaign significantly, is expected to compete closely with Jones for votes heading into the runoff.
Update at 7:29 PM ET:
Currently, with 21% of votes counted, Galine leads Massie at 56.5% to 43.5%. Predictions have shifted towards Galine’s favor in recent days, but it remains to be seen how the vote counts will ultimately play out.
Update at 7:20 PM ET:
As voting time has now concluded in Georgia and Kentucky, more elections are on the way. Trump’s endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is a clear indicator of his hold on the party.
Update at 7:08 PM ET:
The Associated Press also called the race for Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) in the Kentucky Senate primary. Barr, a staunch supporter of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has received Trump’s backing after a grassroots candidate, Nate Morris, struggled. Barr’s victory over another McConnell-endorsed candidate positions him as a possible successor to McConnell.
This article will be updated further in the evening.
