Massie survives primary challenge in Kentucky

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) makes an announcement alongside Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) about a motion to vacate resolution against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, outside the Capitol.

by: Caroline Vakil, The Hill

Posted: May 21, 2024 / 07:13 PM MDT

Updated: May 21, 2024 / 08:17 PM MDT

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is projected to survive a primary challenge for his seat in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Massie fended off challenges from Republicans Michael McGinnis and Eric Deters.

In 2023, Deters ran and lost to state Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) in the GOP primary for the Kentucky gubernatorial race. Cameron lost to Gov. Andy Beshear (D) last November.

Massie’s district sits in northern Kentucky, above Lexington.

The Republican congressman has been known to buck his party at times, including being one of four House Republicans to initially back Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Massie was also one of two Republicans to back Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green’s (R-Ga.) push to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), though Johnson survived the effort to remove him.

Massie’s win is notable given that a super PAC aligned with American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) waded into his primary in an effort to boot him from Congress.