Rep. Thomas Massie Announces Passing of His Wife Rhonda

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks at a House Second Amendment Caucus press conference at the U.S. Capitol, on June 8, 2022. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced on June 28 the death of his wife, Rhonda Massie.

“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven. Thank you for your prayers for our family in this difficult time,” he posted on the social media platform X.

Mr. Massie did not confirm the cause of his wife’s death.

Mr. Massie, 54, said that his wife was their high school valedictorian and that she earned her mechanical engineering degree at MIT.

Last week, the two went to Mt. Rainier with their grandson, he said.

Condolences poured in following the news.

“This is truly heartbreaking. I didn’t know Rhonda well, but I know her husband. And based on that alone, and on what you’ve told me about her, I know she was an amazing woman,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted on social media, saying that he and his wife have them in their prayers.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) led a moment of silence on the House floor in Ms. Massie’s memory. The lawmaker said that Mr. Massie had driven back home to Kentucky to be with his family. Mr. Roy was joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

In addition to her husband and their grandchild, Ms. Massie is survived by their four children.

Mr. Massie, a libertarian, has represented Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District since 2012.

In 2021, Mr. Massie was fined for refusing to wear a face covering on the House floor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has been known to go against both the Democrats and Republicans.

He was one of the few Republicans to support a failed resolution to strip Mr. Johnson of the speaker’s gavel last month.

Four years ago, Mr. Massie drew the wrath of President Donald Trump when the congressman singlehandedly caused a delay in passing a massive COVID-19 relief package.

Mr. Massie supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. He has yet to endorse former President Trump.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.