Representative Thomas Massie has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the 2028 election cycle, signaling a potential political comeback after losing his recent House primary.
The announcement comes a week after the Kentucky Republican lost to Ed Gallrein in the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, with 45.1 percent of the vote to Gallrein’s 54.9 percent. Massie’s loss came last Tuesday after a bruising campaign and a loud feud with President Donald Trump, who called him the “worst congressman in the Republican Party.”
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, announced the filing in a post on X just after noon ET on Memorial Day.
“I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race,” the post said. “This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office. I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run.”
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, and raised in Vanceburg, Kentucky, Massie reflects a growing ideological split in the GOP. Though among the most conservative lawmakers in Congress, he has repeatedly clashed with Trump on issues including foreign policy and the Department of Justice’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Newsweek has reached out to Massie’s office via email and phone message on Memorial Day for comment.
What Seats Are Up for Election in 2028?
In 2028, federal elections will include the presidency, all 435 seats in the House and 34 seats in the Senate. Because House members serve two-year terms, every congressional district—including Kentucky’s 4th District, which Massie previously represented—is up for election, meaning he could run again for his old seat.
Kentucky will also have a Senate race in 2028 for a seat currently held by Republican Rand Paul. Massie would have the option to run for Senate, though such a bid would require building a broader political base beyond his House district.
Will Thomas Massie Run for President?
Massie has not ruled out a future presidential bid but stopped short of committing to a 2028 run following his recent primary defeat. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, he said he is still weighing his political future, telling host Kristen Welker: “I will not rule out anything, and right now I’m not going to rule in anything.”
His comments came days after he lost to Trump-backed Gallrein in a race that highlighted his long-running tensions with the president and broader divisions within the party. While leaving Congress, Massie’s openness to a White House bid signals an effort to maintain a national profile and position himself as an independent-minded conservative as early speculation around 2028 takes shape.
Richard Johnson, a senior lecturer in U.S. politics and policy at Queen Mary University of London in the U.K, told Newsweek: “I think Massie has no chance in a (presidential) Republican primary, given his break with Trump.”
“He might consider running, but I cannot see the current Republican base embracing him,” he continued. “If he cannot win a Republican primary in a district where he has high name recognition and a generally favorable local reputation, I cannot see how he could win the delegates across the country to come close to securing the party nomination.”
Speaking to Newsweek, Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey in the U.K., said: “It’s hard to reignite a political career when you’ve lost the support of your local voters – but it’s not impossible.”
When Is the 2028 Election?
The 2028 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 7. Kentucky’s presidential primaries are slated for Tuesday, May 16, based on the projected primary calendar for that cycle.
What Happens Next
Massie indicated he plans to take time before deciding his next move, emphasizing that he is “decompressing” after more than a decade in office and considering how he wants to remain engaged in politics moving forward.
While supporters have floated his name as a possible presidential contender, he has made clear that no final decision has been made.
This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.
