Ahead of Tuesday’s closely watched Kentucky GOP primary, Rep. Thomas Massie says President Donald Trump’s "reputation is on the line" as Trump allies. outside groups flood the race with attacks and millions in spending.
HEBRON, KY- Six states from coast-to-coast hold primary elections on Tuesday in one of the busiest. potentially most consequential days of the2026 midterm calendar.
Voters in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania will cast ballots in Democratic and Republican primaries for the U.S. House, Senate and governor, as well as in down-ballot races. The nominating showdowns tee up this autumn's midterms, when Republicans will defend their slim Senate and razor-thin House majorities.
Meanwhile, some of Tuesday's most high-profile primary ballot box faceoffs will serve as the latest tests of PresidentDonald Trump's immense grip over the Republican Party. the strength of his endorsements in GOP nomination races.
Two weeks after purging five state senators in Indiana's primary who had opposed his push for congressional redistricting,. three days after helping to oust Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — as the senator who, five. a half years ago, voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial lost his bid for renomination — Trump has a new target: Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
HEGSETH UNLEASHES ON MASSIE IN GOP PRIMARY SHOWDOWN AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED NAVY SEAL VET
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky campaigns on the eve of his state's primary. in Mason County, Kentucky, on May 18, 2026.(Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Massie. who for 14 years has represented Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, in the northeastern part of the red-leaning state, has long been one of Trump's most vocal GOP critics in Congress. The libertarian-minded lawmaker has repeatedly taken aim at the president over foreign policy, including the Iran war and unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel. And he's also been a thorn in Trump's side for successfully pushing for the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump repeatedlytargeted Massiein social media posts in the closing days of the primary campaign. praised Kentucky farmer and former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who the president is backing, as "a great guy" and "a great patriot."
Gallrein grabbed some last-minute support. additional firepower on the eve of the primary, as he teamed up at an event with War SecretaryPete Hegseth.
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War Secretary Pete Hegseth. right, joins former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein at an event on the eve of Kentucky's primary in Hebron, Kentucky, on May 18, 2026. Gallrein is backed by President Donald Trump as he challenges Rep. Thomas Massie for the GOP nomination in the state's fourth congressional district.(Jessica Sonkin/Fox News)
The president said in a video posted to Truth Social on Monday that he hopedKentucky voterswould put Massie "out of business". that "we’re in a fight against the worst congressman in the history of our country."
Massie said in a Fox News Digital interview on the eve of the primary. Trump's taunts on social media may backfire.
"It shows he's losing sleep, his reputation is on the line. He really shouldn't have got involved in this race," Massie said.
The race has become the most expensive in House history in terms of ad spending. with over $32 million spent, according to the nationally known ad tracking firm AdImpact.
Much of that money has been shelled out by Trump's allies and pro-Israel groups.
"Here's the thing, I've got nothing against Israel. I just have never voted for foreign aid. When I said America First, I meant it. I don't vote for foreign aid to Egypt, to Syria, to Ukraine. I've got a flawless record on this,. I'm not going to ruin it by sending foreign aid to one country," Massie said as he defended his stance on Israel.
The race has grabbed outsized attention across the country.
"It's basically a national race at this point, the most expensive race primary in congressional history,. that's because, you know, I'm up there, I'm getting things done. I got the Epstein files released, I'm getting legislation in the farm bill, I'm getting legislation passed on the floor,. they want to shut me down," Massie emphasized.
TRUMP SCORES MAJOR PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUISIANA
But Gallrein, speaking with Fox News Digital, charged that Massie's "running against President Trump,. the agenda that has been put forward by the Republican Party."
The primary winner will be considered the overwhelming favorite in the general election in a district Trump carried by 36 points in his 2024 White House win.
Trump's endorsement is also on the line in Kentucky's Republican Senate primary. in the race to succeed retiring Sen.Mitch McConnell, the former longtime GOP leader in the chamber.
Among the 11 Republican candidates are Rep. Andy Barr, who recently landed Trump's backing,. former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a former McConnell aide who was the GOP's 2023 gubernatorial nominee. As part of his endorsement of Barr, Trump persuaded MAGA-minded business leader Nate Morris to drop out of the race.
Rep. Andy Barr, left,. former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, are the top two contenders in Tuesday's GOP Senate primary in Kentucky, in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime GOP Senate leader.(Reuters)
Barr, at a campaign event on primary eve, showcased that he's "the only candidate in this race who has been endorsed fully. completely by this president."
Seven Democrats, including 2020 Senate nominee Amy McGrath, are running for the Democratic nomination.
Here's a look at other key races to watch on Tuesday.
Trump's endorsement powers will also be tested in the GOP gubernatorial primary in thesoutheastern battleground of Georgia.
The president is supporting Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the race to succeed popular conservative Gov.Brian Kemp, who is term-limited.
Jones is considered one of the two frontrunners in the race, along with healthcare executive. billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who launched his campaign in February and has spent more than $80 million of his own money on behalf of his bid.
State Attorney General Chris Carr and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are also running.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson. former state labor commissioner and former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond, are among the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination.
Trump remains neutral in the competitive and combustible Republican Senate primary.
Reps. Mike Collins. Buddy Carter, and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, the son of legendary University of Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley, who is strongly backed by Kemp, are considered the frontrunners in a crowded field of candidates.
University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., and Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., are aiming to take on Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., in November's midterm elections.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP Photo)
The winner of the GOP nomination will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. The first-term senator is being heavily targeted by Republicans. who view him as the most vulnerable Democrat in the chamber seeking re-election this year. But Ossoff has built an extremely formidable war chest.
With crowded fields, the Republican Senate and gubernatorial primaries are likely headed to runoffs on June 16.
The president is backing Sen. Tommy Tubervilleof Alabamaas a Trump ally. two other Republicans seek their party's gubernatorial nomination in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Kay Ivey. Among the candidates for the Democratic nomination is former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones.
Republican Rep. Barry Moore is running for the GOP nomination to replace Tuberville in the U.S. Senate. Moore. who is endorsed by Trump, faces six other candidates, while four Democrats are vying for their party's nomination in the solidly red state.
Meanwhile, only three of Alabama's seven congressional districts will hold primaries on Tuesday. Elections in the other four districts are being postponed until this summer. in the wake of a key Supreme Court ruling that sparked Republicans in a handful of southern states to redraw their congressional district lines.
Republicans restored a previously drawn. never used map that eliminates one of Alabama's two majority-Black congressional districts currently controlled by Democrats.
Fox News' Jessica Sonkin and Mark Meredith contributed to this report
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast."
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