Comment: We're being asked to believe that the electorate is upset at Massie for forcing the release of the Epstein Files...
The result showed the president's persisting influence over GOP voters, adding to a growing number of Trump-backed primary challengers to defeat Republican lawmakers who angered him in his second term.
Comment: Yep, that's Gaetz, Taylor-Greene, and Massie gone - the core of the 'MAGA Caucus' in the House.
Also Tuesday, in Alabama, former Senate race rivals U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones are headed to a rematch in the Alabama governor's race.
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, angered Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, criticizing the war in Iran and voting against his signature tax legislation last year. The congressman tried to convince voters that they could be for both him and Trump.
Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, ran on his military service and loyalty to the president and accused Massie of forsaking Trump and the party. He is expected to win the general election in the deeply red district.
Comment: Gallrein has no military service. At least, no one could find it. Plenty of 'deep state' service, no doubt...
The primary turned white hot in the final stretch before polls closed in evening. Massie recruited a phalanx of other Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, in an attempt to show voters that they could support both him and Trump. Trump ratcheted up his social media attacks on Massie, calling him "an obstructionist and a fool," and Gallrein shared a stage with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday.
The race was the most expensive U.S. House primary in history.
"We stirred up something. There is a yearning in this country for someone who will vote for principles over party," Massie said after the primary results were announced.
He also criticized unwavering fealty to Trump in Congress: "If the legislative branch always votes whichever way the wind is blowing, then we have mob rule," he said. But if lawmakers follow the constitution, "we have a Republic."
Gallrein delivered a shorter, more muted speech at his victory party in Covington, where he first thanked Trump for his support and leadership.
Comment: That's because he can't speak, debate, or even post anything original - he's almost literally a robot.
Also Tuesday, Republicans statewide chose U.S. Rep. Andy Barr as their nominee to replace Mitch McConnell, the longtime U.S. Senate leader. In a contest representing a generational changing of the guard for the party, Barr, who was endorsed by Trump, bested Daniel Cameron, a former state attorney general who leaned into his Christianity on the campaign trail.
Barr was first elected in 2012 in the 6th Congressional District. He is expected to win the general election in the Republican-dominated state.
ALABAMA
Tuberville easily won the GOP nomination and Jones did the same in the Democratic primary.
"I'm not running against a person. I'm running against an ideology that is so bad, that is so far left, that has nothing to do with the last 250 years that this country's been great," Tuberville said to supporters in his election night speech.
"Who's ready to win an election in November?" Jones asked cheering supporters as he took the stage.
"This campaign has always rested on one simple belief that there are enough folks in Alabama who refuse to accept the way things are, the way things have always been."
Tuberville's decision to run for governor ignited a rare and fierce battle among Republicans for an open Senate seat that is all but certain to stay red. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall are among the best-known candidates in a field of seven Republicans.
Trump has endorsed Moore, a three-term congressman and member of the House's conservative Freedom Caucus.
"Barry is going to do a fantastic job. He will fight for you in the Senate," Trump said during a brief telephone rally for Moore supporters on Monday night.
Marshall is stressing his record as attorney general, including his work with other Republican-led states in filing court actions that challenged former President Joe Biden's policies and supported Trump.
The race had not been called late Tuesday.
Comment: Trump's feeling good about his 'victory', so he's popped up on X to gloat (and been heavily ratio'd and excoriated in the replies):
He only dislikes vote-rigging when it doesn't go his way.
Massie's concession speech: witty, gracious, human:
But so be it. Live like Massie - build your own business, house, farm, community, etc. Ditch politics. Observe the circus, but don't become 'active' in it. It's a rigged game for psychopaths and their sycophants.