Ed Gallrein won the Republican nomination for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District on May 19, defeating seven-term incumbent Thomas Massie. Gallrein took 54.9% to Massie's 45.1%, winning 19 of 21 counties, according to his Wikipedia page. He now faces Melissa Claire Strange (Democratic) and Jeremy Todd (Libertarian) in the Nov. 3 general election, according to BallotReady.

The 4th District includes Boone County and much of northern Kentucky. The seat carries a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives, where members vote on federal legislation, spending and taxes.

Candidate information

  • Name: Edward Gibson Gallrein III
  • Party: Republican
  • Residence: Shelbyville, Kentucky
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in agriculture, Murray State University; master's degree in agricultural business management, Murray State University; master's degree in strategic analysis, Naval Postgraduate School; master's degree in national security strategy, USAF Air War College
  • Military service: Career U.S. Navy SEAL officer (1984–2014). Gallrein said he attained the rank of captain. He served with SEAL Team Six and was deployed to Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Gallrein said he received three Bronze Star Medals, a Combat Parachutist Badge with a bronze star and two Presidential Unit Citations.
  • Memberships: National Rifle Association; certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor; Kentucky Cattleman's Association, according to The Courier-Journal

Experience and public service

Gallrein is a fifth-generation Kentucky farmer, according to The Courier-Journal. He owns and operates The Circle G Farm and Stables in Shelbyville, a role he has held since 2015, according to BallotReady. He also serves as a CEO private peer advisory group chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., a position he has held since 2022.

He served as an Army Operations Center manager in 2019, according to BallotReady. Gallrein was a candidate for Kentucky State Senate District 7 in the 2023–2024 cycle, according to The Courier-Journal. He announced his congressional candidacy on Oct. 21, 2025.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Gallrein's responses on BallotReady and reflect the candidate's own statements.

Immigration and border security: Gallrein said he will work with President Trump and the Republican Party to finish the border wall, fully fund Border Patrol and ICE, and secure the southern border. He also said he would rebuild the military to support national security.

Taxes and spending: Gallrein said he will work to cut taxes, reduce regulations and stop what he called reckless spending that has driven up inflation. He said he would fight to bring jobs back to Kentucky.

Guns: Gallrein said he will protect Second Amendment rights "without compromise" and support law enforcement.

Education: Gallrein said he will join with the president and Republican Party to eliminate what he called DEI schemes, restore merit and bring back what he called conservative pride and patriotism in schools, the military and government.

Abortion: Gallrein said he is pro-life.

Endorsements

Gallrein has received endorsements from the following, according to the sources listed:

Boone County residents can find polling information through the Boone County Clerk's office.

Candidate issue responses were collected by BallotReady and reflect the candidate's own words. The Florence-Union Journal did not interview the candidate for this profile.