Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles loses Tennessee primary after redistricting

Trump-Backed Incumbent Loses Primary After Redistricting Shake-Up

An endorsement from President Donald Trump was not enough to save Republican Representative Andy Ogles, who lost his primary election in Tennessee on Thursday night.

Former state Agricultural Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Ogles, buoyed by endorsements from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, former Governor Bill Haslam, and other prominent Republicans, including former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Hatcher also benefited from superior fundraising and advertising spending.

However, a decisive factor in the race was Tennessee's newly redrawn congressional districts. State Republicans pushed through the map following the Supreme Court's April ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act. Tennessee previously had one majority-Black district—the 9th congressional district—but that district was dismantled and absorbed into the state's other majority-Republican districts, including Ogles's 5th district. In Thursday's primary, 82 percent of the district's voters were newly added.

Ogles faced numerous scandals and controversies during his tenure:

• He claimed earlier this year that "Muslims don't belong in American society."
• He faced ethics concerns over his handling of campaign funds.
• He lied about his college education.
• He raised money to build a garden for his stillborn child that was never constructed.

Two years ago, the FBI executed a search warrant on Ogles related to his financial misdeeds, seizing his phone. In May of this year, however, Trump's Department of Justice signaled it was winding down the investigation—a move that aided Ogles ahead of the midterms. Ultimately, it did not win him favor with his new constituents, who voted him out.

Read more: Idiot MAGA Congressman Makes George Santos Look Like a Genius

DNC Owes Over $300,000 in Unpaid Property Taxes

The Democratic National Committee is blaming a late property tax bill on a procedural issue, marking the latest in a series of missteps by the party's executive leadership.

The DNC owes the District of Columbia more than $300,000 in property taxes, interest, and penalties on its flagship headquarters in Washington, D.C., with debt accruing over six months. The building is valued at $12.1 million.

"The processing issue resulted from standard fraud prevention practices, and we are promptly addressing it," DNC spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg told USA Today.

Tax records show:

• A $147,000 bill—including $23,000 in late fees—dated February 17, with a due date of March 31.
• A DNC property tax payment of $166,700 made on July 23, which was declined.
• A penalty for insufficient funds issued on Tuesday.
• A total of $313,000 owed to D.C. as of Thursday.

This news comes amid internal dysfunction at the DNC, as calls for Chairman Ken Martin's resignation grow louder. The committee is already $18.5 million in debt and is still reeling from a New York Times report detailing a paranoia-driven, phone-throwing outburst by Martin in July, as well as news that a staffer was scammed out of nearly $29,000 by an email from someone impersonating Martin. The developments come less than three months before consequential midterm elections.