CINCINNATI, Kentucky (PNN) - May 20, 2026 - In one of the most expensive primaries on record (with more than $32 million spent on political ads, according to the firm AdImpact), Former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein has won the Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District over Rep. Thomas Massie, NBC News projects, notching another win for President Donald J. Trump in his push to eliminate political rivals and roadblocks within his own political Party.
With 58% of the vote counted, Gallrein had about 54% to Massie’s 46%, asa reported by Decision Desk Headquarters, an artificial intelligence website reporting on election results.
Gallrein, 68, is a relative newcomer to politics. He ran a low-key campaign by refusing to debate Massie and generally avoiding the press. His chief selling points were his military service, his endorsement by President Trump, and his promise to be a reliable vote for the president’s policies.
Massie’s defeat follows other losses this month by Republican state lawmakers in Indiana who had resisted a Trump-backed congressional redistricting push. Five challengers endorsed by President Trump defeated sitting state senators in their primaries.
So far, tonight has demonstrated continued President Trump influence in GOP primaries, particularly the high-stakes ousting of Massie after years of friction over spending, foreign policy and Party loyalty. The safely Republican nature of KY-04 means Gallrein is now heavily favored for November.
Today, voters in Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Idaho head to the polls for several primary elections that will affect key gubernatorial, House, Senate, and statewide contests ahead of the November midterms.
There are a few competitive races in the Bluegrass State. The district includes the Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati, part of northern Kentucky, and the outskirts of Louisville, consisting of coal towns and rural villages in the Appalachian foothills. It has become the most expensive House primary in history.
Federal Election Commission data, which include campaign ad spending and other costs, show that candidate campaigns and political Parties have spent an estimated $35 million on the race, according to Quiver Quantitative. According to AdImpact, more than $25 million has been spent on digital, radio and television ads.
In terms of outside spending, independent political groups have spent more than $10.1 million supporting Massie.
Massie’s campaign has said it has mainly relied on grassroots fundraising. He has received support from the Kentucky First PAC, backed by Pennsylvania billionaire and major TikTok investor Jeff Yass, which contributed $1 million in support, and the Make Liberty Win PAC, which poured in $518,205.
Super PACs have favored Gallrein, contributing more than $16.4 million to his support. The Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund poured in another $470,000 of spending against Massie over the weekend, according to Quiver Quantitative. Given the district’s strong Republican lean, the GOP nominee is expected to be favored in the general election.
Meanwhile, the race to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (Kent.) is on as Rep. Andy Barr (Kent.), former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and nine other candidates run in the GOP primary. President Trump has endorsed Barr.