Trump-Endorsed Candidate Gallrein Defeats Incumbent Massie in Kentucky Primary as Voters Decide Races in Six States

May 19 (UPI) -- Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated seven-term Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's Republican primary for the 4th Congressional District on Tuesday night. The outcome came as voters in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Idaho participated in primary elections featuring dozens of Trump-endorsed candidates for governor and Congress.

Unofficial results showed Gallrein ahead with 55 percent of the vote to Massie's 45 percent after 96 of 120 precincts reported. Massie conceded the race. The contest set a record for primary spending in a House district, with $32.6 million in total advertising and roughly $19 million supporting Gallrein, according to AdImpact data.

Trump had endorsed most Republican House incumbents with primaries on Tuesday, with the exceptions of Massie and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who faced no opponent in Pennsylvania's 1st District. The results are being viewed as one measure of Trump's standing within the Republican Party during his second term. Earlier primaries this month showed most Trump-backed challengers prevailing against incumbents who had opposed the president's redistricting proposals.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, Gallrein's victory followed Trump's public criticism of Massie over several weeks. Massie had co-sponsored legislation to release Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein and voted against the budget reconciliation measure known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He also opposed U.S. involvement in the conflict in Iran. Trump, who endorsed Massie in 2022, instead backed Gallrein this cycle and described Massie on social media as "the Worst Congressman in the Republican Party."

During his concession speech at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Kentucky, Massie said the delay in appearing was due to difficulty locating Gallrein and referenced Tel Aviv. He described his campaign as focused on principle rather than opposition to Gallrein or Trump personally. Massie stated that consistent alignment with the president would amount to having a king, while following shifting political winds would produce mob rule, and that adherence to the Constitution preserves a republic.

At the conclusion of his remarks, supporters chanted for a presidential run in 2028. Massie responded that the suggestion was compelling and indicated he would consider it after obtaining what he called a medical margarita.

Gallrein, speaking in Covington roughly 15 miles away, told supporters that the primary was over and that his focus would shift to advancing the president's agenda along with priorities for Kentucky. He drew a parallel to his service as a Navy SEAL officer beginning in 1983, saying he entered that role with the belief he could make a difference and would apply the same approach to representing the district, the party and the nation.

A separate contest for the Senate seat held by Mitch McConnell for more than 40 years drew attention. Rep. Andy Barr led the Republican primary field of 11 candidates with 60 percent of the vote. On the Democratic side, former state Rep. Charles Booker declared victory with 47 percent, ahead of Amy McGrath's 36 percent. Booker stated on social media that the nomination offered an opportunity to make history and flip the Senate seat in November.

Alabama

In Alabama, Sen. Tommy Tuberville and former Sen. Doug Jones appeared positioned for their parties' gubernatorial nominations. With 41 of 67 counties reporting, Jones held 78.25 percent in the six-candidate Democratic primary, while Tuberville secured 85.28 percent in the Republican primary featuring three candidates.

The November matchup will repeat the 2020 Senate contest, which Tuberville won. Jones had captured the Senate seat in a 2017 special election and remained the last Democrat to win a statewide race in Alabama. Tuberville, who received Trump's endorsement, addressed supporters near the statue of Vulcan in Birmingham. He framed the race as a contest against an ideology he described as distant from the country's historical principles, including socialism, communism, support for abortion and policies he characterized as providing checks without corresponding work requirements.

Jones told his supporters that the stakes extended beyond party or individual and that the campaign was open to all Alabamians seeking competent government. He said the effort rested on the view that residents would not accept existing conditions and that change could begin with the primary results.

Tuberville's departure from the Senate created an open seat. Neither party's primary produced a majority, pointing toward runoff elections. Republican Rep. Barry Moore led with 42.34 percent, followed by Steve Marshall at 23.85 percent. On the Democratic side, Everett Wess received 38.59 percent and Dakarai Larriett received 29.89 percent in the four-candidate field.

Georgia

Georgia's Republican primary for governor headed toward a runoff between Trump-endorsed former Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who received 38.34 percent, and healthcare executive Rick Jackson, who received 32.6 percent. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger placed third with approximately 15 percent. Raffensperger had faced a bomb threat during the campaign and prior criticism from some Republicans after declining Trump's request following the 2020 election to locate additional votes. That request was referenced during Trump's second impeachment proceedings.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro faced no opponent in the Democratic primary for re-election. Republican Stacy Garrity also ran unopposed. In the 7th Congressional District, firefighters' union leader Bob Brooks, backed by Shapiro and Sen. Bernie Sanders, won the Democratic nomination and stated he would advance to the November general election.

Primaries in Oregon and Idaho also took place on Tuesday, though detailed statewide results for major races were not immediately available from those states' election offices. The outcomes across all six states will contribute to assessments of candidate positioning ahead of the November general elections.