GOP candidate T.J. Roberts defeats Ed Massey after nasty primary race in NKY

Republican T.J. Roberts, of Burlington, crushed former state House Rep. Ed Massey in the primary Tuesday night with 77% of the vote, according to Kentucky Secretary of State data.

"It is a remarkable thing what can happen when people come together and actually fight to put their districts first," Roberts said, thanking U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and others for supporting his first-time race for office.

The race was nasty until the very end.

After polls closed, Massey told The Enquirer he and his supporters were out until 3 a.m. putting up more campaign signs. When he woke up this morning, there were opposition signs near his that said, "Ed Massey donated to Hillary Clinton."

"I have no idea what impact, if any, that had," Massey said.

Massey told The Enquirer he paid $250 to see Clinton speak at a friend's Fort Mitchell home in 2008 after he was invited to hear the presidential candidate speak.

More: This Northern Kentucky GOP primary is getting nasty. We fact-checked the rumors

"I didn't even meet her, didn't shake her hand. I just heard her speak and was there. That's it. I've never supported her. I've never voted for her. I've never campaigned for her," Massey previously told The Enquirer.

Over the weekend, Boone County voters received a mailer claiming Massey had a profile on Ashley Madison, a site for people who want to cheat on their spouses. Massey, who has been married for almost 40 years and has three daughters, denied the claim and said he's considering a lawsuit.

Massey has frequently mentioned Roberts' ties to controversial public figures and controversial social media posts. Massey also claimed Roberts is rumored to have a Grindr account, which Roberts - who believes marriage is between one adult man and one adult woman - has adamantly denied.

The nastiness wore on voters, who spoke with The Enquirer at the polls Tuesday in Hebron.

Nathan Chalk, 49, of Hebron, said there was "too much mudslinging" in the race so he didn't vote for either candidate.

Boone County had a 12.64% voter turnout in the primary.

Roberts will face Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber in the general election this November for state House District 66, which includes northern Boone County. The open state House seat has been Republican for over 40 years.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Republican T.J. Roberts crushes Ed Massey in Kentucky primary