Ed Gallrein wins Kentucky 4th House race
The former Navy SEAL and farmer defeated Melissa Claire Strange in the district previously held by Thomas Massie.
By Amelia Gupta ·
Voters in Kentucky’s Fourth Congressional District elected Ed Gallrein to the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. The result ends the tenure of Thomas Massie, who held the seat since 2012. Gallrein will represent the district in the 120th Congress.
Gallrein secured 54.22% of the total vote, according to the Associated Press. He defeated Democrat Melissa Claire Strange, who received 40.86% of the vote. The Associated Press reported these figures with 98.79% of the vote counted on Wednesday. The margin of victory gave Gallrein a clear lead over his opponent.
Gallrein is a farmer and a retired U.S. Navy SEAL. He won the Republican primary in May after receiving the endorsement of President Donald Trump. He defeated the incumbent, Massie, in that primary contest. This marked the first time in over a decade that the district changed hands in a general election following a contested Republican nomination.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Gallrein expressed gratitude to the people of Kentucky’s Fourth District. He stated that he is ready to serve the families, communities, and counties of the district. He described his role as a responsibility and an obligation to the voters who placed their trust in him. He pledged to roll up his sleeves and get to work as a member of the 120th Congress.
Strange, a businesswoman, acknowledged her defeat in a post on X on Tuesday. She thanked the voters, supporters, and friends who stood with her and her family during the campaign. She congratulated Gallrein on his win and expressed hope that he would listen to the voters and serve the district well. Her concession followed the finalization of the vote count.
Massie filed with the Federal Election Commission for a potential 2028 House race for the same district following his primary loss in May. He noted in a post on X that he had not made a final decision on running. He explained that the filing allows him to raise funds to continue his political operations. He described his status as a current office holder and a potential candidate for federal office. He indicated that the decision on which office to seek, if he runs, remains open.
