One of the loudest Republican supporters of the survivors of trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is facing off against President Donald Trump's revenge campaign, but it doesn't appear to be working.
Politico reported on Tuesday that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is in the race for his political life. The six-term Republican faced off against the Trump political revenge machine
“In my heart of hearts, I think Massie may win,” said Steve Frank, who previously served as the commissioner of Covington, which is a major Cincinnati suburb. Frank has grown increasingly annoyed with Massie over Israel and other local issues.
“And if he can withstand this, who’s coming after him?” Frank asked.
Massie faces off against Ed Gallrein, who has been endorsed by Trump, on May 19.
Third-party money topping $10 million has been thrown at Massie, but that might not be enough.
"The few public polls of the race show Massie with a small lead over Gallrein, suggesting Trump’s imprimatur has some limits," said Politico. "Gallrein, a farmer and former state Senate candidate, has never run a federal race and has comparatively low name ID across the district. It’s all left some Massie detractors worried they won’t be able to unseat him now — or ever."
Massie is confident, telling Politico, “I’m actually glad everybody’s in with both feet, and the chips are all pushed in. For me, it means they tried me and they couldn’t do it.”
Massie has long been part of the libertarian-leaning wing of the GOP, in the vein of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and others. He was radicalized by the tea party movement, Politico said, but wasn't elected until 2012, after an election year after the tea party ushered in dozens of new GOP lawmakers. He bucks the establishment and remains a fiscal conservative with a hands-off-my-liberty social philosophy.
Trump formed MAGA KY, a super PAC specifically crafted to pour money into attacks against Massie. They've spent over $3 million claiming that Massie opposes Trump's immigration priorities and tax cuts. Meanwhile, pro-Israel groups have dumped even more money against Massie.
Former GOP Secretary of State Trey Grayson considers the race an indication "if it is possible to build a winning coalition consisting of voters that think Massie doesn’t sufficiently support Trump and those who think he doesn’t sufficiently support northern Kentucky.”
Frank attacked Massie's constituent services, claiming that when he tried to renew his Global Entry pass through Massie's office, he encountered difficulties. The Global Entry pass is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Adam Koenig, a former state senator, said that while in office, people were directed from Massie's office to his office for constituent services. Then, Koenig was voted out of office thanks to one of Massie's protégés, who ran against him in the primary.
“I lost track of the number of times that [Massie’s] office sent people to me,” he complained, even when it comes to fixing federal issues. That said, Koenig conceded, “We live in a world where constituent services don’t matter as much as they used to. It obviously hasn’t hurt him so far.”
Massie said that Koenig is still bitter about losing his seat.
Politico spoke to one woman for whom Massie's help was the tipping point in getting her support. His office ensured her disabled brother was able to get insurance through Social Security.
Another problem is that Massie's opponent has been MIA on the campaign trail.
“We’ve heard Massie speak. And the other guy, honest and true, has never showed up to anything,” said Newport Republican Kerri Cadd. Gallrein declined to attend a GOP forum the Campbell County GOP hosted.
“I can’t even remember his name,” she said of Gallrein. So, she's leaning toward Massie as a result.
