Massie’s Primary Race Breaks Spending Records

Rep. Thomas Massie’s, R-Ky., reelection bid on Tuesday, May 19, has become the most expensive Republican primary in history, with more than $32 million spent on advertising, as the congressman faces criticism over his remarks against the United States’ involvement in Israel.

“I’m the main event,” Massie told MS NOW at the U.S. Capitol last week. “I’m not the last stop or the closing act. I’m the main event.”

In an interview with ABC News, Massie attributed the unprecedented spending to outside influence. “This race has become the most expensive in the history of Congress for a primary because three billionaires from outside Kentucky have funneled millions of dollars in here,” he said. “They’re trying to buy a seat.”

Massie faces Navy SEAL veteran and Kentucky farmer Ed Gallrein, whom former President Donald Trump has endorsed even after he switched his voter registration from Republican to Independent the year Trump was first elected.

The Kentucky congressman has drawn criticism from Trump and pro-Israel Republicans over efforts to require congressional approval before U.S. military action against foreign adversaries, including operations such as the one that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Massie reintroduced similar legislation in 2026 amid rising tensions with Iran.

He has also been an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign aid to Israel. Last week, Massie introduced legislation seeking to register the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, aiming to curb what he described as outside influence in congressional elections.

Pro-Israel groups have spent heavily to defeat Massie. AIPAC and allied organizations have poured more than $9 million into the race, while a super PAC tied to Trump’s political operation has spent nearly $7 million. Overall ad spending has surpassed $32 million, making it the most expensive House primary on record, according to AdImpact.

“That’s where all the money comes from,” Massie said. “It will be a referendum on foreign policy—whether Israel gets to dictate that by bullying members of Congress. I’m the one they haven’t been able to bully, so they’re focusing their full force on me.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked Massie, calling him a “true hater of Israel,” while Massie has rejected accusations of antisemitism. “I’m not antisemitic, and I’m not against Israel,” he said Friday, cautioning against equating criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies with antisemitism.

Jewish leaders have pushed back. “For those of us who care about these issues, ousting Massie is critical,” Gabe Groisman, a former Republican Jewish Coalition board member, told Politico. “It’s super important to build and keep a wall, and let those voices remain outside, not on the House floor shaping policy.”

Massie has also faced criticism for joining Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., in 2025 to force a vote on releasing the files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump later signed into law in November.

Trump endorsed Gallrein in January, urging supporters on Truth Social to back him. “I am asking all MAGA warriors to rally behind Captain Ed Gallrein … best positioned to defeat Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie,” Trump wrote.

Over the weekend, Trump renewed his attacks ahead of Tuesday’s primary. “The worst congressman in the long and storied history of the Republican Party is Thomas Massie,” he wrote. “Vote him out of office tomorrow. It will be a great day for America.”

Massie and Gallrein did not respond to the Daily Signal’s requests for comment.