GOP Rep. Andy Ogles ousted in Tennessee primary
His loss makes him the second Donald Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a primary this week.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles was defeated in the Tennessee primary on Thursday, a setback for President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher emerged victorious, surpassing Ogles with significant fundraising and endorsements. The GOP governor, Bill Lee, endorsed Hatcher, and a renewable energy super PAC poured substantial funds into his campaign.
The newly redrawn district also played a crucial role, requiring Ogles to engage with unfamiliar constituents. Ogles' tenure was marked by several controversies, including the deletion of homophobic posts and comments questioning the place of Muslims in American society. In 2024, the FBI conducted a search of Ogles' phone as part of an investigation into campaign finance records, stemming from a watchdog group's ethics complaint.
Additionally, in 2023, he faced scrutiny over false claims about his resume. This loss marks Ogles as the second Trump-endorsed candidate to falter in primaries this week. Hatcher will now face off against Democratic Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder in November, while Molder has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities. However, Republicans had previously redrawn the district to favor Trump by 23 points following the Supreme Court's limited application of the Voting Rights Act, positioning Hatcher as the frontrunner.
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