Sen. Paul, Rep. Massie co-headline north Kentucky events as primary election season begins

MT OLIVET, Ky. (FOX 56) —A Kentucky congressman and senator are touring northern Kentucky together as the election season begins.

“Is it the Republicans fault or the Democrats fault? And I just say ‘yeah,’” Sen. Rand Paul said humorously as he began remarks to a packed room at the Robertson County Community Center.

It was one of four community forums held on Wednesday, co-headlined by Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie. Later in the day, both appeared at a coffee meet & greet and a “Massie for Congress” rally that staff said were campaign events.

Both Republicans have taken national heat for their own independence from the MAGA movement.

“I said even though I voted for the tax cuts last time, I can’t vote for this. Because this is – You’re going to tax Americans because the inflation is the tax,” Massie said to the room explaining why he voted against Pres. Trump’s budget reconciliation bill earlier this year, referred to as the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.  

Massie has earned a reputation for rigid opposition to increasing any federal spending. He showed off his homemade national debt clock to attendees, which has garnered attention online from his fans. Trump notably singled out Massie for not supporting the budget reconciliation bill earlier this year and promised to invest heavily in a primary challenger in Massie’s reelection race in 2026.

“Oh, I’m going to have a challenging reelection,” Massie told FOX 56 News following the event.

At this gathering in Robertson County, there was an open exchange of questions and concerns, including on protecting agricultural lands and waterways. Two attendees pressed for reassurance that Medicaid would be protected as the OBBA takes effect.

“I’m telling you if we lose Medicaid, if they cut – we’ll all be out of jobs,” one attendee said.

Paul addressed her concerns, saying that there is going to be a discussion with state leaders as more funding responsibility shifts to the state.

“It is talking to your state representatives about it, because I think a lot of this has not yet been written. But the other side of the coin is we can’t have nine people in the wagon with one pulley you know,” he said.

Massie and Paul continue with two more appearances on Thursday in La Grange and Shelbyville.