FRANKFORT — A super PAC supporting U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has won crucial backing from one of the biggest Republican mega-donors — a man who has the wherewithal to offset millions of dollars that Republican President Donald Trump is trying to raise to beat Massie in the spring primary elections.

That man is Jeff Yass, who recently — and indirectly — gave $1 million to a new super PAC that in recent weeks has been advertising in support of Massie’s reelection, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Those records show Yass has set aside millions more in what could potentially be used for additional independent spending to help reelect Massie.

Trump recruited and has endorsed Shelbyville Republican Ed Gallrein, a former Navy Seal, to challenge the incumbent Massie who drew the president’s ire by differing with him on several high profile issues and House votes.

Yass is co-founder of the Philadelphia-based trading firm Susquehanna International Group. Bloomberg reports he is worth $63 billion, making him the 27th wealthiest person in the world. Politically conservative with a libertarian streak, Yass has backed Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul since Paul’s failed bid for the 2016 Republican nomination for president. And, according to the campaign finance watchdog group OpenSecrets, Yass has made more than $100 million in contributions to super PACs in the 2023-24 election cycle.

Massie, a Republican from Vanceburg, has won election to the U.S. House in Kentucky’s 4th District by wide margins seven times, but now is a target of the Republican president because he has strayed from the Trump line on several important votes. Most significantly, Massie opposed Trump’s showcase public policy proposal, the Big Beautiful Bill Act, over concerns about the bill’s impact on the national debt. Massie drew widespread media attention over the summer and fall as the key Republican who successfully pushed to force a vote to require the Justice Department to release its records of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump opposed releasing the Epstein files until it became clear Congress would vote for their release.

In June a new anti-Massie super PAC was created by Trump supporters, and it reported quickly raising $2 million that funded a media campaign attacking Massie over the summer.

But reports filed recently with the FEC show that a new super PAC called Kentucky First PAC countered with a pro-Massie advertising campaign in late October.

Those reports show the following steps:

• On Oct. 20 Yass contributed a whopping $7.5 million to a super PAC called Protect Freedom Political Action Committee. This super PAC was created in 2017 by political advisors to Paul that for the past five years has gotten 95% of its money (about $35 million) from Yass. Its cash on hand was down to about $114,000 until Yass provided the $7.5 million on Oct. 20.
• On Oct. 23 Protect Freedom donated $1 million to the new pro-Massie Kentucky First PAC.
• On Oct. 31 Kentucky First reported paying a bit over $1 million ($1,006,986 to be exact) to a company called Maverix Media, for the pro-Massie media campaign now going on in the district.

Massie’s campaign declined to comment for this story.

But in an article published by Roll Call on Monday, Massie said he is ready for an onslaught of attack ads from super PACs aligned with Trump.

And he referred to some of the recent activity by super PACs in the campaign.

“The state of play now is that the anti-Massie super PAC has gone dark and has been dark for a few months, and a pro-Massie super PAC is spending a million dollars on ads right now in the congressional district,” Massie told Roll Call.

Gallrein’s campaign on Monday released a two-minute video introducing him to voters as a three-decade Navy SEAL officer and showing him working on his Shelby County farm. It accuses Massie of trying to undermine Trump’s “plan to save America.”

Michael Biundo, the spokesman for Protect Freedom, did not respond to a list of questions sent to him by the Kentucky Lantern.

Deanna Hayes, treasurer for Kentucky First, did not return a phone message.

No one at Susquehanna International Group returned an email seeking comment from Yass about his contribution to Protect Freedom.

Yass may have funded additional support to help Massie through Protect Freedom beyond the $1 million contribution it made to Kentucky First PAC.

Protect Freedom also listed in its recent report to the FEC that it had two major expenses: $508,000 paid to Maverix Media for a media buy and $500,000 for get out the vote efforts. However, the report does not identify the candidate who was supported, or opposed, by that independent spending.

Protect Freedom reports having more than $5 million on hand.

Yass surfaced as a player in elections involving Kentuckians in 2015 when he helped fund super PACs supporting Paul’s presidential bid.

In 2017 he started making regular contributions to the Paul-affiliated Protect Freedom PAC, which initially had several wealthy donors but since 2021 has almost exclusively been funded with contributions from Yass.

In more recent years he has spent millions on independent advertising campaigns on Kentucky elections, including supporting the so-called “school choice” constitutional amendment last year and Republican Daniel Cameron’s 2023 campaign for governor. The school choice amendment was defeated and Cameron lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

FRANKFORT — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s brimming reelection campaign fund paid $44,240 in December to Pendry Park City, a luxurious Utah ski resort.

Pendry Park City describes itself on its website as a “ski-in/ski-out resort nestled in the center of Canyons Village” and says “our slopeside retreat’s modernist designs, luxury service and thoughtful amenities will help ensure an exceptional experience, time and again.”

Paul would know. He’s been there time and again. This is the third consecutive skiing season Paul’s campaign committee has disclosed expenses at the resort, according to reports the committee has filed with the Federal Election Commission.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul still travels large, courtesy of his political donors

In December Kentucky Lantern reported on luxury travel and resort spending by Paul’s political committees, focusing on about $50,000 in expenses for a five-star hotel, fancy restaurants and luxury travel services during a trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen.

The FEC forbids a candidate from using campaign committee funds on personal expenses, but Paul’s spokeswoman Kelsey Cooper said in December that the costs of the Scandinavian trip – and dozens of other campaign expenses at resorts in Hawaii, California, Utah, Colorado, Florida and Georgia in the past two years – were for the permitted purpose of fundraising.

“Fundraising events and trips are a common, accepted, and proper use of campaign funds.” Cooper said. “You have to spend money to raise money.”

National ethics watchdogs contacted by Kentucky Lantern last year agreed that it is legal for candidates to use campaign funds to pay for luxury travel and meals as part of fundraising activity. But they said that such fundraising can be corrupting and – when it becomes public – cause concern among voters who see elected officials living in luxury courtesy of campaign donors who may want favors from government.

The $44,240 payment to Pendry Park City in December was listed in a report recently filed by Rand Paul for US Senate with the FEC that listed the committee’s contributions and expenses for the last three months of 2024.

Cooper did not return a message Thursday from Kentucky Lantern.

The recent report shows that Paul’s reelection committee continues to raise and spend large amounts. During the three-month period it reported raising $985,00 and spending $741,000. Most of the spending was not for travel, but for digital advertising and direct mail.

As of Dec. 31 Paul’s committee reported having $6.7 million in cash on hand. Paul still has nearly four years left in his current term.

During the same period, Kentucky’s senior senator Mitch McConnell reported raising only $94,000 – less than a tenth of what Paul raised. McConnell Senate Committee reported spending $120,000 during the period. But McConnell reported having nearly $8.1 million on hand as of Dec. 31, a hefty amount should he decide to seek reelection in 2026.

Fundraising odyssey

Here’s a list of the selected travel expenses reported by Rand Paul for US Senate since his most recent reelection in 2022. This list is similar to one originally published by Kentucky Lantern in December, but has been updated with some major travel expenses during the last three months of 2024.

Scandinavian trip

Mr. Charles AB, Stockholm, $17,742

For transportation. Mr. Charles advertises itself as a multi-modal luxury travel service: private chauffeurs, limousines, yacht charters, helicopter charters and private jets. “Thanks to our professional team of luxury travel and lifestyle management specialists we make you feel special at all times.”

Grand Hotel, Stockholm, $13,627

For hotel, food and beverage. Grand Hotel describes itself as “a five-star hotel … home to celebrities, high-profile events and everyday bon-vivants since 1874. Situated in the best waterfront location imaginable, the hotel overlooks the Royal Palace.”

Restaurant Anton, Copenhagen, $3,772

For food and beverage. “Where history meets culinary excellence. … This 171-year-old venue is the setting for a seasonal kitchen that continues the qualities of Nordic cuisine with an ‘Anton’ Twist.”

Context Travel, Philadelphia, $2,756

For travel. Context Travel is a travel guide service that offers expert local guides in cities across the globe including Stockholm and Copenhagen. “Personal tours for the intentional traveler.”

SKT Petri, Copenhagen, $2,548

For hotel. “Located with one foot planted in the quirky and fun Latin Quarter and the other in the old and historical part of Copenhagen.”

Hamlet Tours, Copenhagen, $2,399

For travel. Hamlet Tours offers guided sight-seeing tours around Copenhagen. “We know what we are talking about, speak English very well and always do our very best to make you feel comfortable.”

Ravelinen, Copenhagen, $2,061

For food and beverage. “Danish lunch and dinner cuisine at its best.”

Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museum, Stockholm, $884

For travel. This is a government agency with “responsibility for the maritime and transport museums in Swedish state care.”

Swiss International Air Lines, Basel, $921

For travel

Hey Captain, Copenhagen, $691

For travel and water transport. “Our guests reward us as the top rated boat tour in Copenhagen … your Captain will show you our favorite places and the gems of Copenhagen.”

Fyrtojet, Copenhagen, $656

For food and beverage. A waterfront restaurant “located in the middle of Nyhavn, which with its vibrant atmosphere is always filled with happy people! In the summer it is wonderful to enjoy your lunch outside.”

Restaurang Grodan, Stockholm, $571

For food and beverage. “In addition to the classic food, we are also in classic premises.”

Mamma’s, Copenhagen, $414

For food and beverage. “It’s about the right ingredients, experience and a good deal of love. All three parts are the essence of Mamma’s. … It’s like sitting in an Italian courtyard – in the middle of Copenhagen.”

Ski country expenses

Pendry Park City Resort, Utah, $69,331

For travel, hotel, food and beverage. “A modern Alpine lodge – Luxury service and every amenity thoughtfully executed to ensure an exceptional experience.”

Ski.com; S&L Travel partners, Colorado, $19,444

For travel. “Our Mountain Travel Experts are dedicated to delivering the best vacation experiences possible.”

Vail Resorts, Colorado, $4,274

For travel. “We own and operate the most renowned destination resorts in the world.”

Utah Private Car, $2,005

For travel. “You’ve found the Utah luxury car service you’re looking for.”

Snowbound Transportation, Utah, $2,163

For travel. “The convenient way to get in and around Park City…the finest service in comfort and style.”

Diego Zapata, Utah, $1,500

For catering. “Private chef and caterer specializing in Japanese cuisine with a Mexican twist.”

Chamber 36, restaurant, Utah, $500

For food and beverage.

Snow Country Limousine, Utah, $430

“Elevated, luxury transportation service.”

Park City Mountain, Utah, minus $534

Refund

Other resorts

Four Seasons Hotel, Hawaii, $6,584

For travel. “A secluded oceanfront retreat on Hawaii’s last unspoiled island.”

Halekulani, Hawaii, $4,276

For travel. “Discover serenity and elegance in the midst of Waikiki.”

Oahu Country Club, Hawaii, $3,270

For facility rental/catering. “One of the finest 18-hole courses in the state …other clubhouse common areas to relax and experience the peaceful essence of the Nu’uanu valley.”

Hawaiian Airlines, $1,381

For travel.

Royalty Town Cars, Hawaii, $221

For travel.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills, California, $2,389

For travel. “An exclusive oasis in the City of Angels.”

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida, $5,932

For travel, food and beverage. “Once you stay, you’ll understand.”

Gaylord Palms Resort, Florida, $2,217

For travel. “Situated near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando.”

Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island, Georgia, $1,378

For travel. “Where fun is par for the course.”

Celebration Hotel, Florida, $894

For Travel. “An Oasis of old Florida charm.”

Trump International Golf Club, Florida, $223

For registration fee.

Event tickets

Churchill Downs

Derby and Oaks tickets, $82,000

PGA Tournament Corp.

Tickets to PGA golf championship, $8,056

Kentucky Bourbon Insider

Tickets, $5,945

Air transportation

New Flight Charters, $15,829

American Airlines, $20,731

United Airlines, $10,597

Southwest Airlines, $7,082

Delta Airlines, $7,047

JetBlue, $1,139

(Source: Reports for Rand Paul for US Senate posted on Federal Election Commission website. These totals also include a few travel-related expenses reported by other Rand Paul political committees RAND PAC and Team Rand.)

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.