Ed Gallrein defeated Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for the Republican nomination for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District on Tuesday, delivering President Donald Trump one of the biggest victories yet in his campaign to purge dissenters from the GOP.With 74% of votes counted, Gallrein was leading with 54.4% of the vote, compared to Massie’s 45.6%, when the Associated Press called the race at 7:54 p.m. Tuesday.
A former Navy SEAL, Gallrein’s family runs a destination farm in the western portion of the district. He was recruited by Trump allies solely to defeat Massie.
“He’s been a terrible congressman from day one,” Trump said of Massie at the White House on Tuesday. “Dealing with him is just horrible. I don’t think he’s a Republican. I think he’s actually a Democrat.”
“He votes against us all the time,” Trump added.
In his victory speech, Gallrein thanked Trump for his support and counsel throughout the campaign. Gallrein called the race a “journey” and said he was thankful for Trump’s “courageous leadership of our nation at this critical time.”“Now my focus is on advancing the president’s and the party’s agenda to put America first and Kentucky always,” Gallrein said during his remarks.
