A prominent Jewish Republican organization celebrated Captain Ed Gallrein’s primary election victory on Tuesday after he defeated incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s 4th congressional district.
The Republican Jewish Coalition issued a statement from Washington, DC, on May 19, 2026, with CEO Matt Brooks calling the outcome “decisive” and stating that Kentucky Republican voters had sent a clear message.
“The RJC congratulates Ed Gallrein on his decisive primary victory tonight,” Brooks said. “Kentucky Republicans sent an unmistakable message: there is no place in the Republican Party for those who turn their back on the MAGA agenda.”
Brooks delivered harsh criticism of Massie’s congressional voting record, claiming the incumbent had consistently voted against Republican initiatives and aligned himself with progressive Democrats on important legislation. The CEO specifically pointed to Massie’s votes against Working Families Tax Cuts, border security funding, Holocaust education funding, and aid to Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack.
“Massie has been a thorn in the side of President Trump, the Republican Party, and the Jewish community writ large,” Brooks said.
The organization further accused Massie of “trafficking in antisemitism and bottom-of-the-barrel nativism at a time when Jew-hatred is on the rise,” characterizing such behavior as “wildly unacceptable and outrageous from an elected member of Congress.”
Brooks praised Gallrein as “a 5th-generation Kentucky farmer, decorated Navy SEAL, and true MAGA patriot,” predicting that the candidate “will serve with honor and distinction.”
The Republican Jewish Coalition and its affiliated RJC Victory Fund committed $5 million to back Gallrein’s campaign, characterizing the contest as a “record-breaking Congressional primary.”
During the campaign, the organization produced three television advertisements supporting Gallrein with the titles “Ed Gallrein: Hero,” “Ed Gallrein: Trump-Endorsed,” and “Gallrein & Trump or Massie who Stands with Iran.”
The Republican Jewish Coalition identifies itself as a national grassroots organization that represents tens of thousands of Jewish Republicans throughout the United States.
