Massie loses to Trump-backed challenger in Kentucky primary
The Kentucky race has been viewed as a key test of President Trump's grip on the Republican Party.
www.bbc.comRep. Thomas Massie defeated the state Republican primary to Ed Gallrein. Massie acknowledged defeat after the results. primary featured as a costly House-era contest, and a test of Trump's influence within the party. Trump backed Gallrein publicly while Massie criticized Trump on some votes. Gallrein advances to the final election in a strongly Republican district, facing Melissa Strange, a Democrat. Massie was first elected in 2012 and fell into Trump's crosshairs in part by urging the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and criticizing the war in Iran.