The Republican primary in Kentucky, pitting President Donald Trump against Rep. Thomas Massie—one of the party's few voices critical of Israel—has shattered all spending records for a U.S. House primary. According to official data, total spending on the race exceeded $34 million as of Monday, underscoring the stakes of an election that could remove one of the rare Republican lawmakers opposing war with Iran.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Massie focused his criticism on the outsized role of pro-Israel groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He called the election a 'referendum on foreign policy' and accused pro-Israel lobbying groups of seeking to 'bully' members of Congress.
Massie has long criticized unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, as well as its abuses in Gaza and Lebanon. He has also been a driving force behind the release of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The bulk of spending, more than $25.8 million, came from super PACs. Pro-Israel groups and donors played a central role in this funding wave. Three affiliated groups spent over $15.5 million to oppose Massie.
Specifically, the United Democracy Project (UDP), AIPAC's electoral arm, spent over $4.1 million. The RJC Victory Fund, affiliated with the Republican Jewish Coalition, spent about $3.9 million. Meanwhile, MAGA KY was the largest spender at $7.5 million, partly financed by pro-Israel billionaire Paul Singer and the Preserve America PAC tied to major donor Miriam Adelson.
Before the Kentucky race, the most expensive primary ever was the 2024 contest that unseated Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York, where pro-Israel groups also dominated spending. The third-costliest race also involved AIPAC, helping defeat progressive Rep. Cori Bush that same year.
Beyond financial pressure, Massie has faced Trump's wrath. The president has nearly purged the party of dissenting lawmakers. Trump repeatedly attacked Massie on social media, calling him 'weak,' 'pathetic,' and 'a fool.' In an unusual move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Kentucky to campaign for Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL challenging the incumbent.
Yet Massie has some advantages. He has built a reputation as a principled libertarian, favored by conservative commentators. His campaign raised $5.5 million directly, far surpassing Gallrein's $3.1 million. He also received support from pro-gun and liberty PACs.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Lauren Boebert, have publicly backed Massie. Supporters argue the race is not solely about Trump. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson noted: 'Unlike most people in the Republican Party, Massie refuses to go along with the White House's abandonment of America First principles.'
