Thomas Massie files paperwork for 2028 House election. Will he run again?

Adrian Paul Bryant, Lexington Herald-Leader on May 25, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Less than a week after losing his reelection bid to Trump-endorsed opponent Ed Gallrein, Kentucky’s 4th District U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie seems to be laying some groundwork for his 2028 plans.

While many of the longtime congressman’s fans might hope he mounts a presidential run, paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission shows Massie is declaring his candidacy to win back the congressional seat.

Massie said in a post on X the paperwork was not a guarantee he will run for the seat, though.

“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,” he wrote Monday afternoon. “I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run.”

Massie has been noncommittal about his aspirations after he vacates his House seat in January 2027. He’s previously said he would “be a good governor” when asked if he would run for the commonwealth’s highest office.

The Republican primary for Kentucky governor is likely to feature Massie’s colleague Jamie Comer, who represents Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District. Secretary of State Michael Adams, who is serving his last term in that office, has also hinted at entering the race.

In a May 24 interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Massie said he “will not rule out anything, and right now I’m not going to rule in anything” regarding his political future.

“But I think I will stay engaged in some way or shape,” Massie said. “Maybe it’s from the outside. I’ve been exposing what’s going on in Washington, D.C., for years, and I’ll keep doing it.”