In the recent primary elections, Ed Gallrein, who was backed by AIPAC, emerged victorious against Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Meanwhile, Chris Rabb triumphed over two candidates supported by AIPAC to secure the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 3rd district. However, the impact of these victories may be overshadowed by former President Trump’s newly acquired $1.8 billion political fund, which raises concerns about his intentions for the upcoming midterm elections.
Kentucky Results
According to the NY Times, Ed Gallrein captured 57,822 votes in the Republican primary in KY-4, translating to 54.9% of the total votes, while Massie received 47,539 votes, or 45.1%. In total, 105,361 votes were cast in the Republican primary, compared to 41,569 in the Democratic primary, where Melissa Claire Strange won the nomination.
To put this in perspective, Trump achieved 67% of the district’s votes in the 2024 Presidential election.
AIPAC and its allies made substantial financial investments to ensure Gallrein’s success:
UPDATE: AIPAC and the Israel lobby have now spent >$15 MILLION boosting Ed Gallrein and attacking Rep. Thomas Massie in #KY04. pic.twitter.com/Znmtc4GEXz
— AIPAC Tracker (@TrackAIPAC) May 16, 2026
Eliminating Massie is a critical component of AIPAC’s strategy to secure unwavering bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress:
The Israel lobby identified 10 House Representatives that must be defeated because they do not support Israel’s interests:
2024: Spent $32M, defeating Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush
2025: Attacked MTG until her resignation
2026: Spent $15M, resulting in the defeat of Thomas Massie.
They used… https://t.co/9ATYSyu9jJ pic.twitter.com/l0GDsGh0ce
— GenXGirl (@GenXGirl1994) May 20, 2026
Polling data shed light on the demographics supporting Gallrein over Massie:
Massie vs. Gallrein support by age demographic
Boomers win again pic.twitter.com/g5jLzlYFQY
— Chris Brunet (@chrisbrunet) May 20, 2026
Taking Credit/Assigning Blame
For those who might dismiss concerns as “anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” let’s hear from neo-con Zionist John Podhoretz:
John Podhoretz celebrates the role that “Jewish money” played in defeating Rep. Thomas Massie: “We have to use what means there are at our disposal, and…that is Jewish money!”
“This is an existential issue for Jews!”
“Anti-Semitic” candidates need to know “they are going to… pic.twitter.com/tWwDKQ4lrc
— Chris Menahan 🇺🇸 (@infolibnews) May 20, 2026
Or hear from AIPAC itself (via Marjorie Taylor Greene):
It’s not an antisemitic conspiracy theory when a foreign lobby openly brags that they bought two congressional seats with candidates who will be loyal to Israel. pic.twitter.com/V6EMwsSvaW
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) May 20, 2026
What Next for Massie?
Due to Kentucky’s Sore Loser law, Massie cannot run as an independent or third-party candidate in the general election. However, CNN has speculated about his future:
As Massie becomes one of the latest Republicans on Trump’s list of revenge targets, his concession speech in Kentucky conveyed a different message than defeat. He expressed optimism, saying, “What started out as an election turned into a movement. We stirred up something. There is a yearning in this country for someone who will vote for principles over party.”
This message of hope and defiance paves the way for the next phase of Massie’s political journey. With his congressional term ending in January, his supporters made their ambitions clear, chanting, “Massie for president!” with enthusiasm filling the venue. With another chant of “2028!” ringing out, Massie smiled and continued to rally his supporters.
The future remains uncertain for Massie, yet there are other notable developments to report, particularly from Pennsylvania.
Rabb Beats Two AIPAC-Backed Rivals in Philly
This race should have received more attention, as it was pivotal in AIPAC’s attempts to exert influence over the U.S. House. Here are the results:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) May 20, 2026
The Philadelphia Inquirer offers a detailed overview:
State Rep. Chris Rabb, a self-identified Democratic socialist, won a fiercely contested primary in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, marking a victory for Philadelphia’s left-leaning coalition in a rare open contest.
…
In the bluest district in the nation, Rabb’s success paves the way for him to likely replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, shifting representation from a more mainstream Democratic voice to one from Congress’s most left-wing faction.
City & State PA elaborates further:
The Democratic primary initially featured around a dozen candidates, but narrowed down as the election approached. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford, and state Sen. Sharif Street emerged as the frontrunners, alongside newcomer Shaun Griffith, a tax attorney.
Street’s name recognition and connections gave him a strong start, yet stiff competition from other candidates like Rabb, who positioned himself as an anti-establishment choice, intensified as the primary date approached. The ongoing conflict in Gaza became another crucial issue during the campaign, with Rabb differentiating himself from more moderate candidates.
Philly Voice adds more context:
The heated campaign cost an estimated $9.84 million, showcasing the divisions within the Democratic Party between the centrist factions, represented by Street and Stanford, and the progressive wing led by Rabb.
Rabb, elected to the Pennsylvania legislature in 2016, has served five terms and is known for his book “Invisible Capital,” which discusses societal inequalities. Identifying as a Democratic Socialist, he is vocal about Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and ending ICE funding.
Here’s Rabb speaking on his vision:
This is how the guy who just won in the bluest Congressional district in the country talked about the Democratic Party and its messaging. pic.twitter.com/DsaVMi76eB
— Jacobin (@jacobin) May 20, 2026
Are the Dems Showing Signs of Breaking Free?
Chris Sosa on Substack argues that the latest results indicate a GOP that is suppressing dissent while the Democratic Party is becoming increasingly independent from foreign influence:
As the GOP continues to evolve into a vehicle for the current president while simultaneously being swayed by major super PACs, a populist movement within the Democratic Party is on the rise. Rabb’s victory exemplifies how the pro-Israel consensus among Democrats is faltering amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict, pointing to a growing sentiment for global community and heightened concern for human rights.
This shift illustrates a realignment among Democratic voters, contrasting sharply with the GOP’s current trajectory.
Does Trump Have a Non-Electoral Victory Map for the Mid-Terms?
In light of Trump’s recent $1.8 billion fund, Bloomberg reports:
Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS has concluded with implications of corruption; the government will allocate this fund for Trump’s associates, free from independent oversight. While initially seeking $10 billion for damages related to his tax returns, the resolution introduces the Anti-Weaponization Fund aimed at compensating individuals allegedly targeted for ideological reasons.
As for how Trump might leverage this fund for the midterm elections, Brian Beutler outlines several key points:
- Trump’s first official act was to pardon all January 6 rioters, regardless of their legal standing.
- The $1.8 billion fund largely aims to pay off these pardoned individuals, to be entirely overseen by Trump.
- He has urged Republicans to manipulate their electoral maps during the Census.
- Judges in various states have backed Republican gerrymanders while dismissing Democratic attempts.
- Trump’s Justice Department has aggressively defended his allies amid concerns of misconduct related to the 2020 election.
- Trump has threatened states over 2020-related legal actions.
- He has issued an executive order aimed at controlling mail-in ballots.
This tumultuous situation raises concerns about the potential for manipulation at polling places, particularly in swing districts.
As events unfold, the implications of these developments remain to be seen. It is critical to stay informed and engaged in the political landscape.
