Rep. Thomas Massie speaks with supporters after his concession speech on 19 May 2026 in Hebron, Kentucky. [Getty]
In the most expensive primary race in House history, Israel critic Thomas Massie of Kentucky lost to a candidate backed by AIPAC and US President Donald Trump, drawing a clear red line by the Republican establishment on dissent of Israel.
On Tuesday night, Massie conceded to his Republican primary challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, in what many saw as a victory for Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, both of which have faced speculation about declining influence in recent months. Combined, they spent at least $16 million, with some estimates putting the number at $32 million.
Moreover, the outcome has eliminated Massie as one of the most high-profile figures in the Republican Party’s infighting over Israel, characterised by Israel critics as America First versus Israel First.
“His defeat and the obscene amount of money spent to defeat him will be a sore point with some conservatives. It will depend on the rift that has opened up between America First and the Israel First wings of the party,” James Zogby, veteran pollster and president of the Arab American Institute, told The New Arab.
For its part, AIPAC was quick to congratulate Gallrein, stating in a social media post, in part, “Voters across America sent a resounding message tonight: they support Democratic and Republican candidates who view a strong US-Israel relationship as an American interest and reject those who focus on attacking that alliance and pro-Israel Americans.”
During his nearly 14 years in the House of Representatives, Massie, a libertarian Republican, has distinguished himself as one of the very few—sometimes the lone—voices in his party to vote against weapons funding for Israel.
As a libertarian, Massie has been a staunch opponent of sanctions and international intervention, which has at times brought him to the side of Democrats, and these positions have put him with a small number of progressive Democrats.
He has also stood out among fellow Republicans by siding with Democrats on key votes, such as dissenting from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed, and supporting the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which also passed.
Despite Massie siding with Democrats on some key votes, Massie has generally been one of the most conservative voters in Congress. During former President Joe Biden’s tenure, Massie voted with the Democrats less than 2 per cent of the time.
Following news of Massie’s defeat, progressive leader Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, wrote on social media, “It was the most ever spent on a House primary race—all because he defied Trump on Gaza and Epstein.”
He continued, “NO, billionaire super PACs should not buy our elections. One person, one vote.”
Sanders then announced he was proposing legislation to end billionaire-funded super PACs (political action committees).
Massie’s defeat Tuesday night was not the only news related to US support for Israel. In another primary race in Pennsylvania, Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary for state senator, even as pro-Israel groups also spent millions to defeat him.
