Representative Thomas Massie and Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky Ed Gallrein [AP Photo]Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal critics of United States President Donald Trump, has lost his primary race to Trump-backed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in a major political victory for the Republican leader.Massie had angered Trump by publicly opposing military action against Iran and sponsoring a bill that resulted in the release of files linked to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and resisting parts of the president’s agenda. His defeat in the most expensive US House of Representatives primary race in history highlighted Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party and the political risks faced by Republicans who break with him.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe result is also likely to increase concerns among Trump critics in the party that there is little space left to openly oppose the president.Here are the key takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania.Trump solidified his influence over the Republican Party of KentuckyThe president successfully helped unseat eight-term Massie, who had been critical of the unconditional US military aid to Israel, by throwing his support behind retired Navy SEAL Gallrein.He targeted Massie for breaking with him on key issues, including opposing the president’s signature tax legislation over national debt concerns, sponsoring and championing the Epstein Files Transparency Act and opposing the US-Israel war on Iran. Advertisement Trump also heavily swayed the state’s US Senate race by endorsing Andy Barr and offering a third “MAGA” candidate, Nate Morris, an ambassadorship just weeks before the election to encourage him to drop out.Record-breaking campaign spending in KentuckyThe race between Massie and Gallrein was the most expensive congressional primary in US history, reaching more than $34m in publicity spending.More than …
