Ed Galine Thanks President Trump after Winning Kentucky Primary

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump celebrated significant victories in various Republican primaries, notably expressing support for candidates he endorsed.

Massie Ousted in Historic Multi-Million Dollar Kentucky Primary

In a record-setting primary, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who often opposed Trump, lost to Ed Galine, a former Navy SEAL, in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Galine garnered nearly 55% of the vote compared to Massie’s 45.1%, according to reports.

This defeat marked the end of Massie’s time in Congress, particularly after he increasingly criticized Trump regarding trade issues, the Epstein case, and foreign policy decisions. In his concession speech, he pointed out that his opponent had received significant backing from various pro-Israel organizations, including AIPAC.

With a hint of humor, he remarked, “I should have left sooner, but finding the opponent in Tel Aviv took a while.”

Strategic Primaries in Six States Targeting Massie

Pro-Israel groups, along with other Trump supporters, invested heavily in campaigning against Massie, with over $32 million spent overall, making this the most expensive primary ever for the House.

Leading the charge against Massie, Trump labeled him “the worst Republican in history” in multiple statements prior to the primary. In his victory speech, Galine thanked Trump and emphasized that his win represented the interests of the Republican families in Kentucky’s 4th District. “I will be their champion in Washington,” he declared.

Andy Barr Wins Republican Nomination for the Senate

In another key race in Kentucky, Rep. Andy Barr, also backed by Trump, secured the Republican nomination for the state Senate seat left vacant by Mitch McConnell, who opted not to seek reelection. Barr won over 60% of the vote, preparing to face Democratic nominee Charles Booker in the upcoming election.

Raffensperger Falls Behind in Georgia

Over in Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger conceded in the gubernatorial primary, trailing behind Lt. Gov. Bert Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson, who are set for a runoff on June 16. Raffensperger’s conflicts with Trump have been well-documented since 2021, when he publicly countered Trump’s claims about the 2020 election results.

Interestingly, while Trump did not oppose Raffensperger directly, he endorsed Jones, who led the votes with over 38%, while Jackson closely followed at around 32.5%. Raffensperger lagged significantly, capturing just about 15%.

Trump’s Candidate Faces Off in Georgia

The winner of the June runoff will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who secured her party’s nomination with an impressive 56% of the vote.

In a Senate primary that Trump did not directly influence, Rep. Mike Collins and former NFL coach Derek Dooley advanced to the June 16 primary, surpassing Rep. Buddy Carter, who did not make the cut. Collins led with more than 40% of the votes, while Dooley garnered slightly over 30%.

Tuberville Secures Nomination for Alabama Governor

Shifting to Alabama, former Auburn football coach and current Senator Tommy Tuberville clinched his party’s nomination for governor, having Trump’s endorsement. He will compete against former Democratic Senator Doug Jones, who also won his party’s nomination on Tuesday.

Rep. Barry Moore, a Trump supporter, advanced in the Senate race to succeed Tuberville, with nearly 40% of the Republican primary vote. The second spot remains close between Jared Hudson and Secretary of State Steve Marshall, both vying for a runoff.

Democrats Celebrate Wins in Pennsylvania

On another front, pro-Trump candidates found success in Idaho, where Governor Brad Little and Senator Jim Risch won their primaries, while Congressman Clifford Bentz did similarly well in Oregon. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Democrats celebrated a sweep from candidates endorsed by Governor Josh Shapiro, paving the way for aggressive autumn campaigns against Republican incumbents.