Two-term Republican Rep. Andy Ogles lost his primary race in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District on Aug. 6, falling to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, according to projections from NBC News and the CBS News. Ogles was defeated despite securing an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who advocated for him through the day of the primary on Truth Social by calling him a Conservative Warrior who has strong support from his Community.
Andy Ogles Falls in Tennessee Primary Despite Trump Backing
With just over 80% of votes counted on Thursday, Ogles trailed Hatcher by just over six points. Hatcher served as Ogles’s sole opponent in the GOP primary. The defeat marks the second time this week and this primary season that a congressional candidate backed by Trump lost, following a loss by a Trump-backed candidate in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.
Redistricting and Establishment Endorsements Shape the Race
The district environment shifted significantly due to a redrawn House map approved by Gov. Bill Lee in May, which was seen to benefit Hatcher by incorporating more agriculture-focused communities. Campaign consultant John Newman noted that Hatcher relates to residents in the newly drawn district better than the current occupant.
Hatcher secured major establishment support ahead of the vote. Gov. Bill Lee endorsed Hatcher, and the two have been friends for over 25 years. Additional endorsements for Hatcher came from former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and former Rep. Zach Wamp. While Ogles had the backing of Trump, Hatcher aligned himself with Trump and his policies while contrasting himself with the incumbent, highlighting a quote on his website stating, Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing
.
Controversies and Campaign Financials
Ogles faced various controversies during his time in office. Earlier in the year, he drew backlash for a deleted social media post stating that homosexuality has no place in America,
and earlier drew media attention for a March post stating that Muslims do not belong in American society. He also argued last year that the federal government should revoke future New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s citizenship and deport him. Additionally, Ogles was investigated on suspicion of campaign finance violations, though he has not been charged with any crimes and stated that the Justice Department returned his seized cellphone.
On the financial front, Ogles was outraised and outspent on the airwaves, partly due to a massive ad effort from a pro-clean energy group. Hatcher is expected to face off in November against Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who led all candidates in fundraising with nearly $2.6 million, while Hatcher raised over $700,000 according to Federal Election Commission data.
Broader Primary Trends for Incumbents
Ogles’s defeat fits into a broader pattern during the election cycle. He is the ninth House member—comprising six Democrats and three Republicans—to lose a primary this year. According to Vital Statistics on Congress, this represents the most incumbent primary losses in a nondecennial redistricting year since 1970. Additionally, two U.S. senators, Republicans Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas, lost their primaries, and Rep. Tony Gonzales finished second in his Texas primary before deciding to drop out and resign before a GOP runoff.
With the primary concluded, Hatcher advances to the general election in the deep-red district, where the nonpartisan Thehill notes the area is solid red in his favor.
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