The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) congratulated Republican Kentucky congressional candidate Ed Gallrein Tuesday after the pro-Israel lobby helped him defeat incumbent Thomas Massie.
AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbying groups spent over $9 million in mostly independent expenditures to oust Massie, who has been critical of Israel and opposed foreign aid. The lobbying group expressed their determination to place pro-Israel candidates into positions of power.
“Congratulations to US Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein for defeating anti-Israel incumbent Thomas Massie!” AIPAC wrote on X. “Pro-Israel Americans are proud to back candidates who support a strong alliance and help defeat those who work to undermine it. Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!”
Congratulations to US Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein for defeating anti-Israel incumbent Thomas Massie!
Pro-Israel Americans are proud to back candidates who support a strong
alliance and help defeat those who work to undermine it.
Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics! https://t.co/uAQurHtvOH
— AIPAC
In a separate statement, AIPAC stated they were “proud” to help pro-Israel candidates win seats against so-called “detractors” like Massie and former Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“Ed Gallrein’s victory in KY and Clay Fuller’s win in GA ensures two outspoken pro-Israel voices are positioned to fill seats previously held by outspoken detractors, Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Our community was proud to help pro-Israel candidates win these races,” AIPAC said.
Ed Gallrein’s victory in KY and Clay Fuller’s win in GA ensures two outspoken pro-Israel voices are positioned to fill seats previously held by outspoken detractors, Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Our community was proud to help pro-Israel candidates win these races.— AIPAC
Gallrein defeated Massie in a 54.8% to 45.2% vote, with a total of 104,071 votes being casted, according to Ballotpedia. Voters over the age of 65 overwhelmingly supported Gallrein, while most young voters supported Massie.
Massie previously told Daily Caller News Foundation co-founder Tucker Carlson that his primary race was so close because the Israeli lobby poured in millions to back his opponent. During his concession speech, he joked about trying to reach Gallrein in Tel Aviv.
Along with AIPAC, pro-Israel GOP donors donated millions to MAGA Kentucky, a pro-Trump super PAC, that spent nearly $7 million in independent expenditures to oust Massie. The super PAC received $750,000 from the Preserve America PAC, which is tied to billionaire megadonor Miriam Adelson, and a $1 million donation from billionaire Paul Singer.
AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project, spent $4.15 million on independent expenditures to support Gallrein, according to Decision Desk Headquarters. The Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund donated $3.87 million in independent expenditures to oust Massie.
Massie repeatedly criticized Israel, wars and foreign aid during his time in Congress. He argued that President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran in June 2025 were unconstitutional, and later stated on May 4 that Israel “forced our hand and dragged us” into the Iran war that began on Feb. 28.
Trump also opposed Massie for his multiple votes against the One Big, Beautiful Bill and his leading role in pushing for the release of the files surrounding Jeffrey Epstein files.
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