Gallrein declined to debate against Massie on several occasions and opted not to attend events at which both were invited to speak—absences that Massie has been keen to make note of. The retired Navy SEAL has defended himself over his decision to forgo the opportunities to debate his opponent, telling voters in recent days, “I’m debating him every day. I’m talking right to the American people, just like the president does, with no middleman.”
The primary race was one of the most expensive in the country’s history, with more than $32 million spent on ads, according to AdImpact. Much of the advertising dollars have been spent by pro-Israel or Trump-aligned groups in the push to unseat Massie.
Trump’s effort to oust another GOP foe, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, met with victory days before the Kentucky primary; Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment and has been a long-time subject of the President’s anger,on Saturday lost the primary to his seat while Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, who was backed by the president, and another candidate advanced to a runoff.