HEBRON, Ky. — In a move with little modern precedence, a sitting cabinet secretary stumped for Kentucky congressional candidate Ed Gallrein on May 18 — the latest sign of how aggressively the Trump administration is working to purge Republican critics from office.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stopped in Northern Kentucky the day before the primary election to support Gallrein, Trump’s handpicked candidate who is locked in a fierce race with incumbent U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie — an outspoken critic of the president during his second term.
Massie has been an easy favorite within his district for more than a decade, but recent polling from Quantus Insights shows Gallrein up with voters, especially those who are undecided.
During the event, which was hosted by America First Works, Hegseth railed against Massie’s voting history and opposition of the president. In a speech that was just under 15 minutes, he praised Gallrein’s military career, while calling Massie a roadblock to the president’s agenda. The secretary repeatedly called Gallrein the “reinforcement” and “war fighter” that the president needs in Congress, harkening back to Gallrein’s career as a Navy SEAL.
“When President Trump needs backup, Massie wants to debate the process,” Hegseth said. “When the movement needs unity, especially at the biggest moments, Massie is willing to vote with Democrats. When conservatives are fighting the most radical left in American history, too often Massie’s instinct is to throw elbows at fellow Republicans instead of the people who are destroying our country.”
The country’s military strength was a major topic during both Hegseth and Gallrein’s speeches, while mentions of the ongoing war in Iran were kept to a minimum. Both spoke against diversity efforts in the military under former President Joe Biden and stressed the importance of building a “warrior culture” within the armed forces.
Gallrein reinforced the need to support not only his campaign, but also Trump’s administration, saying if Kentucky does not do so, “history will punish us.”
“There has never been a more important time to stand behind our president, President Trump, and the courageous leaders he has put in place to fight for the future of the United States military, like Pete Hegseth,” Gallrein said.
The race for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District is one of the most closely watched in the country, serving as a measure of how far the president’s endorsement will go against a popular incumbent. It’s also the most expensive House primary in history, with more than $32 million spent on advertising by campaigns and associated PACs, according to AdImpact figures cited by Politico.
While Hegseth began his speech by saying he was there as a private citizen, the event was still highly unusual — sitting cabinet members rarely endorse in active primary campaigns, but the move continued the unprecedented nature of the Trump administration’s strategies when it comes to influencing elections.
Trump’s endorsements in the midterm elections have already served as an explicit warning not to publicly criticize or vote against his agenda. Five Trump-backed challengers unseated incumbents in the Indiana legislature for refusing to support his 2025 redistricting plan, and incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana was shut out of the GOP primary runoff. Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump during the second impeachment trial stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021 riot led by the president’s supporters at the U.S. Capitol.
Hegseth’s arrival in Kentucky came on the heels of a major Massie rally with several notable Republican attendees, including U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Reps. Warren Davidson, Victoria Spartz and Lauren Boebert.
Just hours after Boebert stumped for Massie, Trump posted on Truth Social seeking a candidate to challenge her in her next primary. (The 2026 filing deadline for Boebert’s seat has already passed.)
In comparison with Massie’s event, which boasted several members of the Kentucky General Assembly’s “liberty” wing, only one state representative was in the audience on May 18: Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill.
“For years I have worked with and supported Rep. Massie, and I think over time it just became a little more difficult, and I want someone who is thoughtful and a reasonable voice and someone who’s willing to work with others,” Moser said. “That’s really what I think will be a huge benefit to our Kentucky legislature.”
Kentucky’s primary is May 19, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
Phillip Bailey contributed to this story. Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or on X @keely_doll.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: In unusual move, Hegseth stumps for Trump-backed candidate in KY-4 race
Reporting by Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal / Louisville Courier Journal
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