Thomas Massie, an MIT-educated engineer, is expected to hold Kentucky’s 4th congressional district seat for the Republicans following the resignation of the GOP's Rep. Geoff Davis.
Massie, an entrepreneur who formerly served as Lewis County judge-executive, is on target to defeat Democrat Bill Adkins, a lawyer, in the race.
Davis resigned suddenly on July 31, citing a “family health issue.” He had earlier said he did not intend to seek re-election, but had intended to serve out his term.
The 4th congressional district is located in northern Kentucky, following the Ohio River. Most of its voters live in the state's Cincinnati suburbs.
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| Thomas Massie (AP Photo) |
So far, Massie, 41, has raised $812,620, according to the Center for Responsive Politics — far more than the $81,749 Adkins has pulled in.
Massie, who lives in a solar-powered house he built himself, says his priority as judge-executive was to eliminate wasteful government spending.
Adkins, 56, a laywer who is the grandson of a Kentucky coal miner, has on his website the slogan “Protecting Medicare and the Middle Class.” He has received the endorsement of the United Auto Workers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 369.
Massie has won the endorsements of Kentucky’s Sen. Rand Paul and his father, former presidential candidate Texas Rep. Ron Paul. He has the backing of the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Rifle Association and several other gun rights groups.
The Cincinatti Enquirer is also backing him. In its endorsement, the paper said, "Washington could use his business smarts, his tendency to innovate, his drive to uncover waste and his leadership."
He is also supported by the Young Americans for Liberty, Glub for Growth and FreedomWorks PACs, among others.
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