Ed Gallrein

Gallrein was born in 1958. His campaign website says he was born and raised in Kentucky and is a fifth-generation farmer whose family has worked the land for over a century.[3][5] According to Wikipedia, he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Murray State University in 1981 and a master's degree in agribusiness economics in 1984, and it also lists master's degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Air War College.[5]

Gallrein served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 2014 as a SEAL officer, rising to the rank of Captain, according to his campaign website and Wikipedia.[3][5] His campaign says he served on seven SEAL teams or units, including SEAL Team Six, and deployed from Panama to the Persian Gulf. It lists three Bronze Star Medals and two Presidential Unit Citations among his military awards.[3]

After leaving the Navy, Gallrein returned to Kentucky as a farmer and business owner, according to his campaign website; Wikipedia states he has operated Circle G Farm and Stables in Shelby County since 2014.[3][5] He ran in the May 2024 Republican primary for Kentucky State Senate District 7 and finished second, receiving 38.3% to Aaron Reed's 39.3%. Before the 2026 race he had never held elective office.[2][4]

Gallrein entered the 2026 congressional race in October 2025 after President Trump endorsed him, and he defeated incumbent Thomas Massie in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, 54.9% to 45.1%.[4][2] During the campaign, he emphasized cutting taxes and regulation, border security, gun rights, and opposition to abortion, according to his campaign website.[3] He won the November 3, 2026 general election with 54.2% of the vote to Melissa Strange's 40.9% and Jeremy Todd's 4.9%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]