Rep. Thomas Massie Files to Run for House Seat in 2028 After Primary Loss

Representative Thomas Massie filed on May 25, 2026, to run for his Kentucky House seat in the 2028 elections, following a recent loss in a primary against a challenger supported by former President Donald Trump. Massie was defeated by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, in a primary that set a record for electoral spending, exceeding $32 million, with significant financial backing from pro-Israel interest groups. Massie has previously diverged from Trump on various issues, including U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel and Iran, and he played a role in advocating for the release of government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, Massie indicated that his filing would enable him to raise funds for his political operations, although he has not specified which office he intends to pursue. Trump's influence in recent primaries has led to the ousting of other Republican candidates in Louisiana and Georgia, raising concerns among GOP members about the potential impact on the party's legislative agenda ahead of the midterm elections.