Ed Gallrein is the Republican nominee for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Melissa Claire Strange, a Democrat, and Jeremy Todd, a Libertarian.

Gallrein, a fifth-generation Kentucky farmer and retired Navy SEAL, won the Republican primary on May 19, defeating seven-term incumbent Thomas Massie 54.9% to 45.1%. He carried 19 of 21 counties in the district, according to Wikipedia.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Edward Gibson Gallrein III
  • Date of birth: April 20, 1958
  • Residence: Shelbyville, Kentucky
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in agriculture, Murray State University; master's degree in agricultural business management, Murray State University; master's degree in strategic analysis, Naval Postgraduate School; master's degree in national security strategy, USAF Air War College
  • Memberships: National Rifle Association (certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor); Kentucky Cattleman's Association

Experience and public service

Gallrein served as a career Navy SEAL officer from 1984 to 2014, according to BallotReady profile data. He attained the rank of captain, according to his campaign's X account. He served with SEAL Team Six and was deployed to Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Persian Gulf, according to Wikipedia. Gallrein said he received three Bronze Star Medals, a Combat Parachutist Badge with a bronze star and two Presidential Unit Citations during his military service.

He also served as an Army Operations Center manager in 2019, according to BallotReady.

Gallrein is president and owner-operator of The Circle G Farm and Stables, a role he has held since 2015, according to BallotReady. He also serves as a CEO private peer advisory group chair at Vistage Worldwide Inc., a position he has held since 2022.

He was a candidate for Kentucky State Senate District 7, according to The Courier-Journal. He announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District on Oct. 21, 2025.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Gallrein's responses on BallotReady and reflect the candidate's own statements.

Taxes and budget: Gallrein said he will work with the president and the Republican Party to cut taxes, reduce regulations and stop what he called reckless spending that has driven up inflation. He said he will fight to bring good-paying jobs back to Kentucky.

Immigration: Gallrein said he will work with President Trump to finish the border wall, fully fund Border Patrol and ICE, and secure the southern border. He also said he wants to rebuild the military to support national security.

Guns: Gallrein said he will protect Second Amendment rights without compromise and back law enforcement. He described himself as a lifelong conservative and defender of freedom.

Education: Gallrein said schools, the military and government should stand for excellence and patriotism. He said he will work to eliminate what he called DEI schemes and restore merit.

Abortion: Gallrein described himself as pro-life.

Endorsements

Gallrein has received endorsements from the following, according to his campaign website and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

  • Donald Trump, president of the United States, who endorsed Gallrein on Oct. 17, 2025, calling him a "true patriot" and giving him his "complete and total endorsement"
  • Kevin Courtois, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed Gallrein on May 14, 2026

Candidate issue responses were provided through BallotReady.