Kentucky Republican loses primary after opposing Trump policies

Representative Thomas Massie lost his Republican primary race in Kentucky on Tuesday. The incumbent was defeated by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who received support from the president and pro-Israel groups.

Massie had drawn attention for leading a push to release Justice Department files tied to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also emerged as an outspoken critic of the war with Iran. Voters chose Gallrein after heavy spending by pro-Israel organizations backed the challenger.

The result marks another instance where a Republican lawmaker who challenged administration positions faced defeat in a primary. Massie had been one of the few conservatives willing to openly question certain policies.

“Massie, who angered Trump by leading a push to release Justice Department files tied to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and emerged as an outspoken critic of the war with Iran, was defeated by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by the president and bolstered by heavy spending by pro-Israel groups.”