LEXINGTON, Ky. — U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie made his case to voters Monday night without opposition, appearing on Kentucky Educational Television for nearly 30 minutes after his Trump-endorsed challenger declined the invitation.

Recent polls show Massie leading Ed Gallrein, the Shelbyville Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump, with one survey showing Massie ahead 46.8 percent to 37.7 percent and another showing him with 52.4 percent to Gallrein's 47.6 percent. Gallrein did not accept the invitation to debate Massie on the state television network, and his campaign did not respond to inquiries about why.

Massie was interviewed on air by KET host Renee Shaw and spent an additional half-hour taking questions from reporters in the studio's lobby. In his closing remarks, Massie said, "I don't think you're well served by a rubber stamp," arguing that congressmen "make promises while they're campaigning, and then they go up there to go along, to get along."

The debate absence marks another instance of Gallrein avoiding direct confrontation with Massie on the campaign trail. Gallrein's repeated absences from forums have included an April event where Massie fielded questions solo and the Kenton County GOP dinner he later headlined to criticize the absent Massie.

With Trump's political tirade against Massie, the primary in the district has become a referendum on whether the president's endorsement will be enough to defeat a popular Congressman who has defied him. Experts say the results of the Kentucky primary will show how far Trump can push the Republican Party and whether voters will stick with the president or their principles, noting that "Massie is an early opportunity to see what Republican voters will do when their pro-Trump leanings clash with their conservative leanings."

Massie's disputes with Trump stem partly from his push to release federal investigation files into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his vote against the GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he said would increase federal deficits and the national debt. Massie is known for his fiscally conservative and libertarian leanings, including concerns about the federal deficit and opposition to wars of choice, like the one Trump has plunged into in Iran.

On KET, Massie said Trump has called him a "sharp cookie" when they've talked on the phone before. Massie told reporters he last spoke to Trump in July "when I tried to negotiate some kind of truce, and it didn't work," but said it was a genial conversation.

Asked about how he could be effective in Washington if he wins reelection, Massie pointed to the PRIME Act, a policy he's advocated for that is being included in this year's Farm Bill, allowing states to facilitate farmers selling meat directly to consumers.

Massie is campaigning aggressively ahead of the May 19 primary, creating concern among some White House advisers that Trump could be embarrassed if Gallrein does not prevail. Massie has represented the area since 2012.