Primaries Held in 6 States: What to Watch
By Jackson Richman, The Epoch Times • May. 19, 2026
(The Epoch Times)—Voters in Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Idaho head to the polls on May 19 for a slate of primary elections that will shape key gubernatorial, Senate, House, and statewide contests ahead of November.
Here is what to watch in each state.
KentuckyThere are a few competitive races in the Bluegrass State.
The most closely watched race is in the state’s Fourth Congressional District, where incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) faces retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein. President Donald Trump endorsed Gallrein after criticizing Massie over several votes he took in Congress. Trump has had success backing primary challengers and knocking off incumbents in several primary elections, including in Indiana and Louisiana.
The district includes the Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati, part of northern Kentucky, and the outskirts of Louisville, consisting of coal towns and rural villages in the Appalachian foothills.
It has become the most expensive House primary in history.
Federal Election Commission data, which include campaign ad spending and other costs, show that candidate campaigns and political parties have spent an estimated $35 million on the race, according to Quiver Quantitative. And according to AdImpact, more than $25 million has been spent on digital, radio, and television ads.
Massie’s campaign has spent $5.8 million, while Gallrein’s has dished out $2.6 million.
In terms of outside spending, independent political groups have spent more than $10.1 million supporting Massie.
Massie’s campaign has said it has mainly relied on grassroots fundraising. He has received support from the Kentucky First PAC, backed by Pennsylvania billionaire and major TikTok investor Jeff Yass, which contributed $1 million in support, and the Make Liberty Win PAC, which poured in $518,205.
Super PACs have favored Gallrein, contributing more than $16.4 million in his support.
The Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund poured in another $470,000 of spending against Massie over the weekend, according to Quiver Quantitative.
Given the district’s strong Republican lean, the GOP nominee is expected to be favored in the general election.
Meanwhile, the race to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is on as Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and nine other candidates run in the GOP primary. Trump has endorsed Barr.
Former state Rep. Charles Booker and Amy McGrath, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2020, as well as five other candidates are running in the Democratic primary.
Polls project a Barr-Booker matchup.
more
https://thelibertydaily.com/primaries-held-6-states-what-watch/
