A group of anti-Trump Republicans and influential Libertarian Party activists is reportedly working behind the scenes to recruit outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for a third-party presidential campaign in 2028. Their apparent objective is to build an alternative political movement capable of drawing conservative voters away from the eventual Republican nominee.
According to a report from Axios, discussions surrounding a potential Massie presidential bid have been underway for months, with organizers actively encouraging the Kentucky congressman to pursue the Libertarian Party’s nomination.
The emerging effort could create an unexpected complication for Republicans heading into the next presidential election. While the organizers envision a movement built around opposition to foreign military involvement and certain aspects of Trump’s foreign policy, the political consequences could extend well beyond the Libertarian Party.
Massie, who has frequently found himself at odds with Republican leadership and President Donald Trump, recently suffered a significant political setback. The congressman lost his Republican primary earlier this year to Ed Gallrein, a Trump-endorsed challenger, following an especially contentious campaign.
