Republican · Kentucky's 4th District · 2026
Ed Gallrein
Gallrein grew up on a Kentucky family farm, played college football and went on to spend three decades in the Navy as a SEAL officer.
Biography
When Spectrum News visited his Shelby County farm in October, Ed Gallrein pointed to his tractor's radio to explain the constant weather watching that comes with farming.1 A fifth generation Kentucky farmer, he returned to agriculture after a career in the Navy.2
Gallrein played football at Murray State University, where he also earned degrees in agriculture and agricultural business management.34 He retired from the Navy as a captain; his campaign describes three decades of service, with leadership assignments on SEAL teams and units, including SEAL Team Six.2
His education also includes graduate degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Air War College.4 His civilian work includes owning Circle G Farm and Stables and advising business leaders through the CEO peer organization Vistage.4 In May, he defeated Congressman Thomas Massie in the Republican primary with President Donald Trump's endorsement.1 Gallrein says he wants to maintain that presidential relationship while making the district and Constitution his priorities, and identifies rebuilding relationships in Congress as an early task if elected.1
He faces Democrat Melissa Strange, Libertarian Jeremy Todd and independent write in candidate Peter Harmon Williams.3 His platform calls for cutting taxes, regulations and federal spending, completing the border wall and funding immigration enforcement.2 He also supports modernizing the power grid while requiring data center developers to cover their infrastructure costs.3 He also opposes abortion and supports gun ownership rights.2
Record and controversies
Disputed endorsement
On October 27, 2026, Kentucky Sen. Steve Rawlings disputed Gallrein's campaign claim that Rawlings had personally endorsed him.5 Rawlings said he had offered to support the Republican ticket but specifically declined a personal endorsement, and had asked for the post's removal.5 The October 27 report said the post remained online and Gallrein's campaign had not answered interview requests; no later response or removal could be found.5
Military award descriptions
In May 2026, The Daily Caller questioned campaign materials that credited Gallrein with four Bronze Stars, contrasting them with older biographies that listed three.6 His campaign rejected the story as a smear and defended his service.6 His campaign's current biography lists three Bronze Star Medals and separately an Army Combat Parachutist Badge with a Bronze Star.2