Tennessee Primary Tests Trump’s Influence in Key Congressional District
On Thursday night, a significant primary election will assess President Donald Trump’s political clout. Voters in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District are casting ballots to choose between Trump-supported Rep. Andy Ogles and former state agriculture commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Hatcher received a last-minute endorsement from Governor Bill Lee.
Rep. Andy Ogles, a strong Trump ally in Congress, seeks a third term in the district, which covers parts of the Nashville suburbs. Charlie Hatcher, previously the State Veterinarian, served as Agriculture Commissioner under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
“I’m not really surprised at all. You know, they’re friends,” Ogles remarked regarding Lee’s endorsement of Hatcher.
Ogles claims his endorsements from Trump and other GOP leaders demonstrate that he is the more conservative candidate. He emphasizes his backing from Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan as evidence of his conservative credentials.
“With endorsements from President Trump and conservative leaders, I have the full support of the genuine conservatives,” Ogles stated.
Having Trump’s backing provides an advantage in Tennessee, where Trump won by a significant margin in 2024. However, despite his incumbency, Ogles is facing a challenging race. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition super PAC, led by top donor Chris Larsen, has spent around $1.3 million against Ogles in support of Hatcher.
Ogles is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, known for its ultra-conservative stance. Yet, he has often acted as a mediator between Johnson and conservative factions on key legislation, winning Johnson’s loyalty.
In a tele-rally, Johnson emphasized the importance of Ogles in maintaining the Republican majority in the House. “We have a fateful midterm election approaching, and Andy Ogles is essential to our majority,” Johnson stated.
The House Speaker praised Ogles for playing a key role in passing the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” among other initiatives. “He’s critical on the floor, ensuring votes are aligned to pass crucial legislation,” Johnson added.
Governor Lee, in a video, expressed his 25-year friendship with Hatcher and endorsed him as a conservative with steadfast values. Hatcher, acknowledging Lee’s endorsement on Facebook, vowed to pursue practical solutions in Congress while supporting conservative values and lowering living costs for Tennessee families.
Despite endorsing Trump, Lee’s decision to support Hatcher represents a split seen previously, as Trump once favored a different candidate over a Lee-endorsed incumbent, criticizing Lee as a “RINO” on social media.
Fox News Digital contacted Hatcher’s campaign for comment. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter at Fox News Digital, leads coverage of the House of Representatives.