During a forum at the University of Louisville, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) stated he would consider running for governor if he wins his GOP congressional primary this year.
In response to a question about whether he would run for governor should he lose the election, Massie said that a loss would mean returning to farming but he might pursue a gubernatorial role over the Senate or presidency if he won. “I’ve got to get to May 19 before I speculate about any of that. But if I’m looking at jobs and saying which would be the best job to have, probably governor,” Massie added.
Massie also addressed public education during the forum, noting his bill to terminate the Department of Education. He emphasized he does not want to decrease public education funding because he attended K-12 at public schools. Instead, he would prefer to keep the funds within the state for officials to determine allocations.
U of L College Republicans President Dyllan Tipton reported that the forum drew 125 attendees, many of them students. Faculty members, Kentucky Senator Lindsey Tichenor and former Congressman John Yarmuth were also in attendance.
Tipton acknowledged that attendees included independents and Democrats as well as Republicans, calling the cross-ideological turnout positive. “We need more events that bring Democrats, Republicans, and everyone else together for healthy dialogue and debate,” he said. “Congressman Massie definitely fosters that vision, as he has worked across the aisle on many issues and is willing to stand up for his principles even when they go against his own party.”
Recent polls indicate Rep. Thomas Massie leads in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District GOP primary by a double-digit margin.