Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on May 25 to run for his House seat in 2028, just days after losing the Republican primary to Ed Gallrein. Massie, 55, submitted the paperwork for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, though he acknowledged he has not made a final decision about which office to seek. The filing allows him to raise funds for political operations while he considers his next steps.
Massie’s primary loss came after a contentious and expensive race, with both pro-Trump and pro-Israel groups heavily funding Gallrein’s campaign. Massie had previously clashed with former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Gallrein. In a post on X, Massie stated that he is keeping all options open, including a potential presidential run. He also hinted at a paid social media campaign to counter efforts to diminish his political platform.
During a University of Louisville College Republicans event in April, Massie had stated that if he lost the primary, he would not seek further government office. However, in a statement to Fox News Digital, he said he is not ruling out any future political endeavors. In an interview on Meet the Press, he attributed his loss to his bipartisan efforts to release information about Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, as well as his criticism of U.S. foreign policy.
Massie also expressed concerns about the Republican Party alienating anti-war and fiscal conservative voters. He backed a potential short-term Iran deal negotiated by Trump, arguing that Americans were already suffering from high gas and fertilizer costs. His defeat has sparked discussions about the future of the GOP, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the party’s direction.