Resolution Criteria

The Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District takes place on May 19, 2026. The winner will be determined by the candidate receiving the most votes in the primary election. Resolution will be based on certification from the Kentucky State Board of Elections official results. In case of recounts or legal contests, the final certified outcome will determine the winner.

Background

Two candidates are running in the Republican primary: incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie (R) and Ed Gallrein (R). As of Jan. 23, 2026, this is one of two congressional races in which President Donald Trump (R) endorsed a challenger to a Republican incumbent. Trump endorsed Gallrein on Oct. 17, 2025, posting on Truth Social that Massie is a "totally ineffective LOSER", while Massie and Gallrein lead in endorsements and media attention.

Gallrein is a farmer and business owner who served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 2014. Massie was first elected to represent Kentucky's 4th Congressional District in a 2012 special election and previously served as the Lewis County Judge Executive from 2010 to 2012.

Considerations

The Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+18, meaning the district's results were 18 percentage points more Republican than the national average in the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, making Kentucky's 4th the 50th most Republican district nationally. According to the University of Kentucky's Stephen Voss, "A lot of Republican voters in Massie's district are going to be willing to consider an alternative to Massie because of Donald Trump's spats with Massie. But just because you're not fully happy with your member of Congress doesn't mean you end up willing to vote for someone else."

This description was generated by AI.