LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Ed Gallrein defeated longtime U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's closely watched Republican primary for the 4th Congressional District Tuesday, while James Comer won the Republican primary in the state's 1st District race.

The Associated Press called the race for Comer and Trump-endorsed Gallrein. As of 9:19 p.m. Gallrein had 54% of the vote with 96% of precincts reporting, and as of 9:30 p.m. Comer had 88% of the vote with 79% of precincts reporting.

Originally from Shelbyville, Kentucky, Gallrein is a retired Navy SEAL officer and fifth-generation farmer.  He also ran for a state Senate seat last year, narrowly losing in a three-way Republican primary. 

Gallrein entered the race in October 2025 after Trump first endorsed him in a social media post, building up Gallrein as "A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN." 

The endorsement catapulted his campaign into the national spotlight, and it was closely tied to the president's feud with Massie. Trump vowed to help defeat the incumbent congressman because of Massie's vocal criticism of him.

Gallrein later emerged as a serious threat to Massie as Trump allies and outside groups poured tens of millions into the race, making it one of the most expensive congressional primaries in U.S. history. 

Trump's backing did not let up through the course of the campaign. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spent Monday afternoon campaigning alongside Gallrein at a rally in Hebron, Kentucky. The event was hosted by the Trump-allied group, America First Works.

Gallrein’s campaign is focused on supporting Trump's agenda, built around the "America First Movement." He criticized Massie throughout the campaign for repeatedly breaking with Trump and Republican leadership.

Gallrein will face Democratic candidate Melissa Claire Strange this November. District 4 hasn't been represented by a Democrat since 2005.

First elected in 2016, Comer has become one of the most recognizable Republicans in Congress due to his role as chairman of the House Oversight Committee. He has led several high-profile investigations, including probes into the Biden family and, most recently, the ongoing investigation into the Epstein files.

Before serving in Congress, Comer was Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner and previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He also ran for Kentucky governor in 2015, narrowly losing to former Gov. Matt Bevin in the Republican primary.

Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District covers much of western Kentucky, including Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah. It’s considered one of the state’s most reliably Republican districts. 

Comer will face Democrat John Williams in November. The 1st District hasn’t been represented by a Democrat since 1994. 

Click here for the full Kentucky primary election results.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.

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