Thomas Massie speaks to voters in Mason County ahead of Kentucky primary

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]The most expensive US House primary in history is playing out in northern Kentucky. If we do not take advantage of this narrow window of opportunity we have, history will punish us. They're trying to buy a seat.

[00:00:12]>> Incumbent Republican Thomas Massie facing Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein. Once leading, Massie now appears to trail. Recent Quantus Insight polling gives Gallrein 53 to 45, a 17-point swing since April. He has enough obstruction from Democrats.

[00:00:30]We need reinforcement from Republicans.

[00:00:33]Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth campaigned for Gallrein Monday, calling his endorsement a no-brainer. The candidate emphasizing military strength.

[00:00:41]>> President Trump's vision for the strongest military in the world is not a campaign slogan. It's a matter of our nation's survival and it puts deterrence back on the table.

[00:00:51]>> President Donald Trump has made at least 10 social media posts about the race in the past 3 days, a sign of how high the stakes are for the administration. Chief executive of the country, President Trump, would not be doing this if they were confident that they were winning.

[00:01:06]And they're worried that I'm going to win. That's that's why the president's tweeting, that's why they're sending the secretary of war. It's why they're starting all these fake stories.

[00:01:15]Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, embraces Trump's America First agenda and faults Massie for opposing the president on some issues. Massie says his position stay true to Trump's promises, like requiring warrants to spy on Americans and cutting foreign aid. And Massie touts his legislative work benefiting farmers. Massie supporters say they value his independence. Thinks for himself and for the people of Kentucky and he's not going to be a puppet to somebody else.

[00:01:40]>> His courage in standing up for what was right with uh the legislation about the Epstein files. This primary is taking place in a district Trump won by 35 points.

[00:01:51]>> There's an outpouring, an outpouring of support, of a sentiment that somebody who will go to Washington and represent them. Not go up there and betray them like a co-conspirator with the radical Democrats. If I win, there there's hope. There's hope because somebody can be transparent, go to Washington D.C., vote for their principles, put principles and their people over the party. WCPO will be live at both campaigns watch parties as results come in. For WCPO 9 News, I'm Jay Shatour.