'Strongest endorsement': Leaders react after Trump-backed Gallrein unseats Massie
Reaction is pouring in after a major upset in Tuesday night's 4th Congressional District primary race.
Incumbent Thomas Massie, who's been in Congress since 2012, was unseated by Ed Gallrein by 10 points.
In a sizable win over Massie, Gallrein swept through 19 of the 21 counties in the 4th District. In seven counties, Gallrein's lead was more than 60%. Massie did hold two counties, one of which was Lewis County, where he's from. He won that county by more 25 points.
Both candidates reacted to the results as the attention now shifts to the general election.
In a lengthy 30-minute concession speech, Thomas Massie shook off the loss.
The congressman stayed mostly positive, at times, seemingly having fun with a rowdy crowd.
“We ran a race that you can be proud of,” Massie said.
He touted his push to release the Epstein files, hinting there's more to come in the final days of his time in office.
“I got seven months left in Congress,” Massie said.
The race's outcome was a powerful testament to the president's power to oust dissenting Republicans. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reacted to the race on Wednesday.
“The president has the strongest endorsement in the history of politics,” Johnson said. “You have to give up on some of your personal preferences sometimes because you're in a deliberative body and you have 434 colleagues.”
In a brief message Tuesday night, Gallrein thanked his supporters for electing him during what he calls a critical time in the nation's history.
“Now my focus is on advancing the president and the party's agenda to put America first. And Kentucky always,” Gallrein said. “I entered as a Navy SEAL officer in 1983 because I had the audacity to think I could make a difference, and I did. I will serve this district, my party, and my nation with that same audacity.”
Gallrein now faces Democratic nominee Melissa Strange in the general election. She said she feels like there’s been a shift in Trump’s support, giving her the advantage.
“He's [Gallrein] going to do whatever Trump tells him to do. And I don't know that's really what people are looking for right now,” Strange said.
Strange believes she can flip the seat blue for the first time since 2005 with the help of independents who've broken with Trump and disgruntled Massie supporters.
“When you start adding those numbers together, I definitely think there's opportunity to be able to say, ‘Do we really want more of this, or do we want somebody there who's going to challenge him [Trump]?'” Strange said.
Though this race was a big loss for Massie, he still seemed optimistic about his political future. He pointed to the amount of support he's received from younger generations. He also responded to chants from the crowd for him to run for president.
"You’ve made a compelling argument. We’ll talk about it later,” Massie told supporters before leaving the stage Tuesday night.
