Ed Gallrein has won the race for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, replacing longtime Rep. Thomas Massie in the U.S. House.

The Associated Press called the race for Gallrein at 8:43 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, when the Republican had secured 53% of the vote with approximately 80% of ballots counted, LINK nky reported. WLWT confirmed the AP projection.

Gallrein defeated Democrat Melissa Strange and Libertarian Jeremy Todd to claim the open seat.

Results at time of AP call

Candidate

Party

Percentage

Status

Ed Gallrein

Republican

53%

Winner (AP projection)

Melissa Strange

Democrat

—

—

Jeremy Todd

Libertarian

—

—

Results as of 8:43 p.m. Nov. 3, 2026, with approximately 80% of ballots counted, per the Associated Press via LINK nky. Final certified totals were not yet available at publication.

Official results are posted by the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

How the race played out

Gallrein, a Shelby County farmer and former Navy SEAL, campaigned as an "America First" Republican closely aligned with President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Gallrein on Oct. 17, 2025, and the two appeared together at rallies in Northern Kentucky, including one at Verst Logistics in Hebron and another at Northern Kentucky University's Truist Arena, LINK nky reported.

Gallrein beat Massie 57,822 votes to 47,539 in the May Republican primary, according to LINK nky. That contest was the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with $37 million spent between the two candidates, WLWT reported.

Massie had represented the 21-county district since 2012.

Strange, a first-time candidate from Villa Hills with roughly 30 years of supply chain experience, won the May Democratic primary over Jesse Brewer, LINK nky reported. She campaigned on affordability, healthcare access and restoring civility to politics.

Todd, the Libertarian nominee from Independence, entered the race after Massie's primary defeat. He focused on limited government and federal spending, according to LINK nky.

Write-in candidate Peter Harmon Williams also ran, according to the Courier-Journal.

What's next

Gallrein celebrated his election night victory at the Kenton County Republican Party's watch party at Oriental Wok in Fort Mitchell, LINK nky reported. He takes office Jan. 3, 2027, for a two-year term.