- In a significant victory, Ed Gallrein ousted Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican House primary in Kentucky.
- Despite being a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, Massie lost in the most costly House primary ever.
- Trump’s sway in the GOP continues to be robust as he endorses candidates in various states’ primaries.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump claimed another victory against a Republican adversary on Tuesday, unseating Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s primary and eliminating one of his fiercest critics in Congress.
Massie has been a persistent irritant for Trump. He advocated for the disclosure of the Jeffrey Epstein files, opposed the conflict with Iran, and voted against Trump’s landmark tax legislation last year. He was defeated by Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein in the most expensive House primary ever.
Massie attempted to persuade Republicans that they could back both him and Trump simultaneously, a strategy that has failed in other races nationwide and proved unsuccessful here as well.
Nevertheless, Massie will continue to serve in Congress until his term concludes in January. With no Republican primary in sight, he now has more freedom than ever to challenge Trump.
Massie’s loss is another indication that Republicans offer their politicians very little room to oppose Trump, who is intent on revenge and has convinced his supporters to defeat his opponents time and again.
Here are some aspects to keep an eye on as votes continue to be counted across Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Will Trump’s endorsement continue to be decisive?
Trump has consistently demonstrated that Republican primary voters will heed his guidance, even as his popularity declines among the general electorate.
Prior to Massie’s defeat on Tuesday, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana failed to reach the runoff on Saturday, unable to mend his relationship with Trump five years after voting to convict him during his second impeachment trial. Earlier this month, Trump successfully ousted five of the seven Indiana Republicans he targeted for voting against his redistricting plan.
Trump is exerting his influence in other areas on Tuesday as well.
In the race for Georgia governor, Trump is supporting Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a surprisingly bitter battle for the Republican nomination. Jones, who hails from a wealthy Georgia family, has contributed $19 million to his campaign. However, billionaire Rick Jackson, a healthcare magnate, has invested more than $83 million of his wealth into the race. Trump’s endorsement power has seldom been challenged against such disproportionate spending.
Trump refrained from participating in Georgia’s Senate race, leaving a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is running unopposed for his party’s nomination. But in Alabama, Trump endorsed Rep. Barry Moore for Senate to replace Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.
After abstaining from a Senate runoff in Texas taking place next week, Trump on Tuesday endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
A challenge for Shapiro in Pennsylvania
It’s widely known that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro may have presidential aspirations.
However, on Tuesday, the Democrats’ political influence will be put to the test in his home state, where he’s striving to elect a group of House candidates that he believes will give his party the best chance to flip Republican seats in the fall.
Shapiro’s endorsed candidates include Paige Cognetti, mayor of Scranton; Bob Brooks, president of the state firefighters’ union; and Janelle Stelson, a former television news personality who narrowly lost two years ago.
Despite his popularity, Shapiro’s endorsements haven’t deterred Democratic competitors, who are battling to defeat the governor’s selections — and perhaps send a message that he’s not as formidable as he’d like to be with the 2028 presidential race on the horizon.
Politically adrift in Georgia?
Georgia is set to provide a new case study in the divergent paths available to Republicans who defy Trump.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan were among the few Republicans to speak out against Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 loss.
Both are now running for governor — Raffensperger as a Republican and Duncan as a Democrat — and both are trying to persuade voters to overlook past statements.
Raffensperger is investing millions of his own funds to reintroduce himself to Republicans by reminding them of his lengthy career in conservative politics before opposing Trump.
Conversely, Duncan is attempting to convince Democratic voters that they can trust him after renouncing his previous opposition to abortion rights, gun control, and the expansion of Georgia’s Medicaid program.
If no candidate secures 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the primaries will proceed to a runoff on June 16.
Confusion in Alabama?
There may be widespread confusion in Alabama on Tuesday as votes cast in four of the state’s seven congressional districts may not be counted.
This is because Republican Gov. Kay Ivey recently postponed the primaries until Aug. 11, emboldened by the recent Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act. Republicans across Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee are now hastily redrawing congressional boundaries to eliminate some majority-Black U.S. House districts to maximize their political advantage.
Over the weekend, thousands of civil rights activists rallied in Alabama against the changes, but the redistricting plan is proceeding.
This means that ballots cast on Tuesday in primaries for Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th congressional districts will be nullified, according to the secretary of state, while state officials revert to a previous set of Republican-drawn district boundaries.
It’s understandable if you’re confused. Alabama voters will still select nominees on Tuesday as planned for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional districts, as well as for Senate and a full range of state and local offices.
Rep. David Scott’s death highlights Democratic gerontocracy
The late Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., was the fourth Democrat to die in office this term, fueling a growing unease on the left over the party’s aging leadership. Scott, who was 80 when he passed away, was seeking a 13th term.
Scott’s name will appear on the ballot alongside five other candidates running in the Democratic primary, but his votes will not be counted. Whether someone wins on Tuesday or the race goes to a runoff on June 16, the Democratic nominee is almost certain to win the general election in a district that leans heavily Democratic.
A special election on July 28 will determine who completes the remainder of Scott’s term, with a runoff on Aug. 25 if no candidate secures a majority.
Agree. it will be interesting to see how Trump’s endorsement of Massie’s opponent plays out in Tuesday’s primaries.
Looking forward to seeing the impact of Trump’s support on Massie’s opponent in the primaries.
I agree, Trump’s endorsement could make a significant impact on Massie’s opponent in the primaries. #ElectionImpact