HEBRON, Ky. (WKRC) — Kentucky voters head to the polls on Tuesday in what has become the most expensive congressional primary in U.S. history, with President Donald Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein trying to unseat Republican incumbent Thomas Massie.
Gallrein and his supporters held a final major event Monday featuring U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who made a personal appeal on Gallrein’s behalf.
The high-security event drew a packed crowd and included Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL captain, spending about 10 minutes thanking Trump for what he called a restoration of the U.S. military. Gallrein did not mention Massie during those remarks.
Hegseth praised the administration’s military agenda.
“They doing what the political class said couldn’t be done. They are rebuilding the strength and confidence and warrior ethos of our armed forces, bear with me on this, from the inside out,” said Hegseth.
Trump recruited Gallrein and endorsed him in the race against Massie after the seven-term congressman became a frequent critic during both of Trump’s terms. The race has drawn more than $30 million in spending, much of it from outside political action committees, including some supporting Israel.
Gallrein introduced Hegseth, who emphasized he was appearing as a personal endorsement rather than in an official capacity. Even so, the appearance amounted to a rare campaign speech by a defense secretary, and Hegseth sharply criticized Massie.
“When President Trump needs backup, Massie wants to debate process. When the movement needs unity, especially at the biggest moments, Massie’s willing to vote with Democrats,” Hegseth said.
Massie campaigned Monday in the eastern part of the district in Mason and Shelby counties. In a virtual interview, he said he was not concerned about Hegseth’s appearance.
“It shows they’re panicked. You know, there have been a lot of polls in this, a lot of fake polls. We have our own internal polling, so we know those are fake polls, and I think their internal polls show that they’re in trouble, and that’s why the President lost sleep over this race and posted 10 times on social media in the last two or three days and sent the Secretary of War,” Massie said.
Massie also held events in Northern Kentucky over the weekend, including appearances with Colorado Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a past MAGA and Trump supporter. Shortly afterward, Trump asked for someone to run against Boebert in that primary, which has already closed for candidates.
Voting begins at 6 a.m. Tuesday and runs through 6 p.m. in Kentucky. Results are expected Tuesday night.