Trump-Backed Rep. Andy Ogles Loses Tennessee Primary to Charlie Hatcher
On August 6, 2026, Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Governor Bill Lee and other state GOP figures backed Hatcher, highlighting intra-party conflict. Ogles faced scandals including résumé embellishment, an ethics investigation, and inflammatory remarks. Redistricting added many new voters to the 5th District, contributing to his defeat. Hatcher will face Democrat Chaz Molder in the general election.
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Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles loses Tennessee GOP primary to Charlie Hatcher
Incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) lost his reelection bid in a Republican primary to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher on Thursday. The primary was held under a new Tennessee congressional map passed by Republicans to eliminate the state's last Democratic-held district, following the Supreme Court's weakening of Voting Rights Act protections. Ogles faced backlash over anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric and campaign finance controversies. His loss was seen as an upset and a rare rejection of a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, despite last-minute support from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. A flood of outside money from a renewable energy super PAC for Hatcher, combined with a redrawn district, contributed to Ogles' defeat. Separately, state Rep. Justin Pearson won the Democratic primary for the previously Democratic Memphis-based seat, which was split into three GOP-leaning districts. Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the GOP primary for governor and is expected to win the general election.
Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles loses Tennessee GOP primary to Charlie Hatcher
Incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) lost his reelection bid in the Republican primary on Thursday, defeated by former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. The primary was held under a new congressional map passed by Tennessee Republicans that eliminated the state's last Democratic-held district after the Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections. Ogles faced backlash over anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric and campaign finance controversies. His loss is seen as an upset and a rare rejection of a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who along with House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to boost his campaign. A flood of outside money from a renewable energy super PAC for Hatcher, combined with a redrawn district, contributed to Ogles' defeat. Separately, Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the GOP primary for governor and is expected to win the general election.
Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles loses Tennessee GOP primary to Charlie Hatcher
Incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) lost his reelection bid in a Republican primary to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher on Thursday. The primary was held under a new congressional map passed by Tennessee Republicans, which eliminated the state's last Democratic-held district following the Supreme Court's weakening of Voting Rights Act protections. Ogles faced backlash over anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric and campaign finance controversies. His loss was seen as an upset and a rare rejection of a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who along with House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to boost his campaign. A flood of outside money from a renewable energy super PAC for Hatcher, combined with a redrawn district, contributed to Ogles' defeat. Separately, Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the GOP primary for governor and is expected to win the general election.
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MAGA Representative Andy Ogles Loses Tennessee Primary After Republican Redistricting
Republican Representative Andy Ogles, a MAGA ally endorsed by President Donald Trump, lost his primary election in Tennessee's 5th congressional district to former state Agricultural Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. A key factor was Tennessee's newly redrawn congressional districts, pushed through after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. The state's only majority-Black district (9th) was broken up and absorbed into surrounding Republican districts, including Ogles's. In the primary, 82% of voters in the 5th district were newly added. Hatcher, endorsed by Governor Bill Lee, former Governor Bill Haslam, and former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, out-fundraised and outspent Ogles. Ogles faced multiple scandals: anti-Muslim remarks, ethics concerns over campaign funds, lies about his education, and a GoFundMe for a child's burial garden that was never built. The FBI had executed a search warrant on Ogles for financial misdeeds, but Trump's DOJ signaled it was wrapping up the probe in May. The new constituents rejected Ogles despite Trump's backing.
Trump-Backed Rep. Andy Ogles Loses Tennessee Primary After Redistricting
Republican Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary election in Tennessee on August 6, 2026, despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Challenger Charlie Hatcher, a former state agricultural commissioner, defeated Ogles with endorsements from Governor Bill Lee, former Governor Bill Haslam, and former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, as well as superior fundraising and ad spending. A key factor was Tennessee's newly redrawn congressional districts, enacted after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. The state's only majority-Black district (9th) was broken up and absorbed into surrounding Republican-leaning districts, including Ogles's 5th district, where 82% of primary voters were newly added. Ogles faced multiple scandals, including anti-Muslim remarks, ethics concerns over campaign funds, lies about his education, and an FBI search warrant related to financial misdeeds. The Trump administration's DOJ had recently signaled it was wrapping up the probe, but the new constituents voted Ogles out.
MAGA Representative Andy Ogles Loses Tennessee Primary After Redistricting
Republican Representative Andy Ogles, a MAGA-aligned incumbent, lost his primary election in Tennessee's 5th congressional district to Charlie Hatcher, a former state Agricultural Commissioner. Despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Ogles was defeated due to a combination of factors: Hatcher's superior fundraising and endorsements from Governor Bill Lee and other state Republicans, and a significant redistricting change. After the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, Tennessee Republicans redrew the map, breaking up the majority-Black 9th district and absorbing its voters into surrounding districts, including Ogles's. As a result, 82% of voters in the primary were new to the district. Ogles also faced numerous scandals, including anti-Muslim remarks, ethics violations over campaign funds, lies about his education, a GoFundMe for a child's garden that was never built, and an FBI search warrant related to financial misdeeds. The Trump administration's DOJ had recently signaled it was closing the probe, but it did not save his seat.
GOP Rep. Andy Ogles ousted in Tennessee primary
Republican Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary election in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Ogles' defeat marks the second loss this week for a Donald Trump-endorsed candidate, following a Michigan House candidate's loss. Hatcher benefited from strong fundraising, a late endorsement from Governor Bill Lee, and outside spending from a renewable energy super PAC. Ogles faced multiple controversies including a homophobic social media post, anti-Muslim remarks, an FBI investigation into campaign finance records, and false claims about his resume. The district was redrawn to favor Republicans by 23 points after a Supreme Court ruling limited the Voting Rights Act. Hatcher will face Democratic nominee Chaz Molder in November.
Rep. Andy Ogles Loses Republican Primary in Tennessee
Incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Ogles lost his Republican primary election in Tennessee to a challenger, according to multiple news outlets including NBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Hill. The defeat is considered an upset, as Ogles was backed by former President Donald Trump. The primary results were reported on Thursday, with analysts highlighting the significance of Trump's endorsement not securing victory in this race. The outcome marks a notable shift in Tennessee's political landscape, with the challenger winning the nomination to represent the district in the general election.
Embattled Rep. Andy Ogles loses Republican primary in Tennessee
Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary election on August 6, 2026, to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, becoming the third House Republican to lose a primary that year. Ogles trailed Hatcher 53% to 47% when the race was called. The defeat is notable as a rare loss for President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Ogles. Ogles faced multiple controversies including résumé embellishment accusations, a House Ethics investigation into campaign finances, and inflammatory remarks about Muslims and homosexuality. The 5th District had been significantly redrawn under Tennessee's new congressional map, shifting from Middle Tennessee to a district connecting Memphis to the Nashville area along the Kentucky border. Hatcher, a dairy farmer and veterinarian, received late endorsements from Governor Bill Lee and former Governor Bill Haslam, and outraised Ogles $720,000 to $613,000. Hatcher will face Democratic nominee Chaz Molder in the general election, though the district is rated Solid Republican by Inside Elections.
Embattled Rep. Andy Ogles Loses Republican Primary in Tennessee
Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary election on August 6, 2026, to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, becoming the third House Republican to lose a renomination bid this year. The Associated Press called the race for the 5th District with Hatcher leading 53% to 47%. The defeat is notable as President Donald Trump had reiterated his support for Ogles earlier that day. Ogles faced multiple controversies, including a House Ethics investigation into his campaign finances, accusations of résumé embellishment, and inflammatory remarks about Muslims and homosexuality. The district was significantly altered under Tennessee's new congressional map, now connecting Memphis to the Nashville area along the Kentucky border. Hatcher, a dairy farmer and veterinarian, received late endorsements from Governor Bill Lee and former Governor Bill Haslam, and benefited from $2 million in outside support. Hatcher will face Democratic nominee Chaz Molder in the general election, though the district is rated Solid Republican by Inside Elections.
Could Andy Ogles lose his primary?
Republican Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee's 5th District faces a serious primary challenge on Thursday, with well-funded opposition and a notable snub from Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, who endorsed challenger Hatcher. Despite former President Donald Trump's endorsement of Ogles, a $1.3 million effort is underway to oust him. The race highlights a collision between Trump's influence and local Republican establishment opposition, making it one of the most closely watched House primaries this cycle.
Tennessee Governor Bucks Trump, Endorses Against Ogles in Primary
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has broken with former President Donald Trump by endorsing a primary challenger against U.S. Representative Andy Ogles. This move marks a significant intra-party conflict within the Tennessee Republican delegation. Governor Lee's endorsement directly opposes Trump's support for Ogles, highlighting a rift between state and national GOP figures. The primary election is expected to be a key test of Trump's influence versus local political dynamics. The decision underscores ongoing tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates internal divisions ahead of upcoming elections.