Who is Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who may help oust Speaker Mike Johnson?

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, made headlines this week for joining an effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Here's more about the outspoken inventor-turned-politician:

Where is Republican Rep. Thomas Massie from?

Massie, 53, lives in an off-the-grid house in rural Lewis County Kentucky, where he grew up. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-educated engineer invented a device to give computer users a sense of touch. He started the company with his high school sweetheart, who is also an MIT-educated engineer.

Where is Massie's district?

The district covers all or part of 21 counties in Northern Kentucky, running from Louisville's suburbs, through Cincinnati's suburbs and into eastern Kentucky. Many of the counties line the Ohio River separating Kentucky from Ohio.

What has Thomas Massie said on social media?

Massie is not shy about speaking his mind. He's a frequent poster on X, formerly Twitter, where he sometimes uses the hashtag #SassiewithMassie. He revealed his challenge to Johnson on X:

He has made a number of other controversial statements. He's said state legislatures, not voters, should pick U.S. senators. His stance on Israel made him a campaign issue during the Republican presidential primary earlier this year.

What about Thomas Massie and Donald Trump?

In March 2020, then-President Donald Trump called Massie a "third-rate grandstander" and a "disaster for America" after Massie forced Congress to return to Washington and vote in person on a $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package. But Trump later endorsed Massie for reelection. Massie backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president earlier this year.

Who is running against Thomas Massie?

Massie faces two challengers in the May 21 Republican primary, including from enthusiastic Trump supporter Eric Deters, who ran for governor last year, finishing fourth in the primary. Deters hosts Freedom Fest, a political gathering and rally. In 2022, it brought in over 10,000 people and Deters and Donald Trump Jr. spoke at the event. Michael McGinnis, a Fort Thomas Republican, is also running. No Democrats filed. In 2022, Massie coasted to re-election in both the primary and the general election.

How has Massie voted on issues in Congress?

You can see his votes here.

What is Thomas Massie famous for?

Massie has made headlines before. In 2021 a Christmas photo of his family holding guns drew cheers and scorn on social media. He and former Secretary of State John Kerry clashed in a hearing about climate change. He is often the lone "no" vote on seemingly noncontroversial resolutions condemning misdeeds, arguing Congress should not use its power to "legislate thought."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thomas Massie: Kentucky Republican may help oust Speaker Mike Johnson