Ed Gallrein answers Trump’s call to primary Thomas Massie
Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, has launched a campaign to challenge Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in the 2026 primary election after being encouraged by former President Donald Trump. Trump called on Gallrein to run against Massie, criticizing the incumbent congressman as a “third-rate Congressman” due to Massie’s opposition to key parts of Trump’s agenda, including concerns over national debt linked to a major bill. Gallrein, whose family has deep roots in Kentucky, expressed his commitment to supporting Trump’s America Frist agenda and highlighted his military service and local ties. Massie, known for his libertarian and fiscally conservative stance, has portrayed gallrein as an establishment-backed candidate connected to figures like Senator Lindsey Graham, whom Massie criticizes for favoring U.S. military interventions abroad. Massie has pointed to his strong fundraising performance and campaign results as signs of his solid support in Kentucky, suggesting that challengers are losing momentum despite spending millions against him.
Ed Gallrein answers Trump’s call to primary Thomas Massie
Former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein launched a campaign on Tuesday seeking to oust Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) after being urged to do so by President Donald Trump.
Trump pressured Gallrein to mount a primary challenge to “third-rate Congressman” Massie last week after the libertarian incumbent lawmaker bucked the president on his sweeping “big, beautiful bill,” among other issues, due to concerns it could raise the national debt.
Gallrein said this week he was “ready to answer” the president’s call ahead of the 2026 election.
“After serving as a SEAL – including war zones all over the world – I came home to KY where my family has farmed for five generations. This is Trump Country – but Thomas Massie is blocking the President’s agenda. I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with Trump and deliver for KY,” he announced in a post to X launching his campaign, after suggesting earlier this year that he was more than open to challenging Massie.
“While Trump is fighting to restore America, Thomas Massie is standing in the way. I served over 30 yrs as a Navy SEAL & military advisor – I’m ready to answer the call again. I’m proud to have Trump’s endorsement, and I’ll stand with him to deliver America First results for KY,” Gallrein added.
Before being endorsed by Trump this month, Gallrein was backed by establishment GOP leaders when he ran last year for a seat in the Kentucky state Senate. He lost the three-way primary campaign to rival Aaron Reed, who won by under 200 votes.
Massie, known as a fiscally conservative libertarian in the upper chamber, has already sought to frame Gallrein as an establishment candidate holding ties to the likes of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Massie views lawmakers such as Graham as “neocons” who prioritize what he believes to be needless U.S. wars and intervention in global conflicts over problems he sees as having a closer effect on Kentucky residents.
On Monday, Massie highlighted the results in his 2024 reelection campaign in which he said he won multiple counties that Gallrein lost in his Senate race.
“Did they show Trump these results?” the incumbent congressman questioned.
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Massie also recently pointed to historic fundraising numbers for his reelection campaign, suggesting that primary challengers are “getting cold feet thanks to our record-breaking numbers.”
“Although $2 million has been spent against me, my job approval in KY is good and every corner of the country is behind me!” the Kentucky Republican said after his campaign marked the best fundraising quarter of his career, raising nearly $800,000 from July through September.
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