Republican Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie officially filed to run for his House seat in 2028. This move comes shortly after losing his primary election to a challenger backed by President Donald Trump.
Massie filed the paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission on Sunday to raise funds for his political operations. The conservative congressman lost his primary race to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein by a nine-point margin. Trump aggressively campaigned against Massie over his opposition to the Iran war and his votes against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race. This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office. I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run,” Massie said in a Monday afternoon post on X.
I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race.
This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office.
I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run. pic.twitter.com/heHxDnu31o
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) May 25, 2026
The recent primary race broke spending records for a United States House contest. An unprecedented $32 million was spent on advertising during the fiercely fought election. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel lobbyists poured $9 million in mostly independent expenditures to oust Massie.
Gallrein received over $63,000 in direct political action committee donations from groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition. Anti-Massie groups spent more than $15 million in independent expenditures throughout the race. Meanwhile, groups supporting Massie spent over $10 million in independent expenditures.
MAGA Kentucky, a pro-Trump super PAC, spent over $7 million attempting to oust the libertarian-leaning congressman. The financial blitz proved successful as Gallrein secured the victory on election night.
Massie maintained his trademark humor during his concession speech following the defeat. He joked to the crowd that he could not reach Gallrein in Tel Aviv to congratulate him on the win.
During his time in Congress, Massie frequently criticized foreign aid and international military conflicts. He argued that Trump’s June 2025 strikes on Iran were unconstitutional. Massie later stated that Israel forced our hand and dragged us into the Iran war.
Trump made his disdain for the Kentucky congressman clear during a recent rally in Hebron. The president called Massie a complete and total disaster in March. Trump also accused him of being a moron during the National Prayer Breakfast while Massie fought for the release of the Epstein files.