Rep. Andy Ogles Falls Short in Tennessee GOP Primary Race
WHO:
CBS News - Rep. Andy Ogles, President Trump, Charlie Hatcher
NBC News - Rep. Andy Ogles, President Trump, Charlie Hatcher
NY Post - Rep. Andy Ogles, President Trump, Charlie Hatcher
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - Hatcher had a 6.6-point lead over Ogles with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted.
CNN - Hatcher will face Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, in November.
Fox News - A super PAC bankrolled by a California billionaire and frequent Democratic donor spent $2 million to unseat Andy Ogles over renewable energy policy.
Al Jazeera - Ogles’s loss represents a rare incident in which Trump’s endorsement failed to deliver in a Republican race.
Al Jazeera - Hatcher had a 6.6-point lead over Ogles with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted.
CNN - The midterm election season in the US is in full swing, with all 435 US House seats and 35 out of 100 Senate seats up for grabs in November.
Al Jazeera - Ogles was first elected in 2022.
Al Jazeera - Hatcher had a 6.6-point lead over Ogles with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted.
CNN - The primary in Florida's 19th House District is set for August 18.
CNN - The conservative Club for Growth has pledged to spend at least $1.1 million to block Collins from returning to Congress.
Al Jazeera - Ogles has a history of anti-Muslim statements, including a quote where he stated, “Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.”
Al Jazeera - Ogles, when asked about Palestinian children killed by US-funded bombs, responded, “You know what? I think we should kill them all, if that makes you feel better,” later clarifying, “Everybody in Hamas.”
Al Jazeera - Hatcher previously rejected Ogles’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, stating, “There’s Muslims that are American citizens, that are good, law-abiding people, and there’s soldiers in the US Army that are good warriors, so absolutely.”
Al Jazeera - Ogles lost to Charlie Hatcher by a 6.6-point margin with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted.
Al Jazeera - Hatcher will face Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, in November.
Al Jazeera - Tennessee Governor Bill Lee provided a late endorsement for Hatcher.
Al Jazeera - Ogles is the second Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a primary this week, following Amir Hassan in Michigan.
Fox News - A super PAC bankrolled by a California billionaire and frequent Democratic donor spent $2 million to unseat Andy Ogles over renewable energy policy.
CBS News - Rep. Andy Ogles lost the Republican primary for his Tennessee House seat.
NBC News - Rep. Andy Ogles lost the GOP primary despite having President Trump’s endorsement.
NY Post - Charlie Hatcher won the Republican primary with 53.2% of the vote.
WHERE:
NY Post - Tennessee's 5th District
WHEN:
NBC News - Charlie Hatcher will be the GOP nominee.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Ogles is the second Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a primary this week, following Amir Hassan in Michigan.
Al Jazeera - Democrats are attempting to capitalize on discontent with the economy and the war on Iran to flip seats across the country.
Alternet - Republican mayors in Georgia are endorsing Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff over Trump-backed Rep. Mike Collins due to his constituent services.
Al Jazeera - Democrats are attempting to capitalize on discontent with the economy and the war on Iran to flip seats across the country.
CBS News - Ogles lost despite securing an endorsement from President Trump.
HOW:
Fox News - The primary was characterized by a dramatic district reshape, which was part of a Republican redistricting effort.
NY Post - The primary was characterized by a dramatic district reshape.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:43 UTC)
Hatcher currently holds a 6.6-point lead over Ogles, with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted, and will face Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, in the upcoming November election. A super PAC funded by a California billionaire and frequent Democratic donor invested $2 million to unseat Ogles, focusing on renewable energy policy. Notably, Ogles is the second Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a primary this week, following Amir Hassan in Michigan.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 14:10 UTC)
In a surprising turn of events, Ogles's loss marks a rare instance where Trump's endorsement did not secure a victory in a Republican primary, with Hatcher leading by 6.6 points as nearly 90 percent of the votes were counted. As the midterm election season heats up, all 435 US House seats and 35 out of 100 Senate seats are up for grabs in November, with Democrats looking to leverage economic discontent and the ongoing war on Iran to flip seats nationwide. This primary was notably influenced by a dramatic district reshape, part of a Republican redistricting effort aimed at strengthening their position.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 11:41 UTC)
In a significant development, Republican mayors in Georgia are endorsing Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff over Trump-backed Representative Mike Collins, citing Ossoff's strong constituent services. Meanwhile, in Florida's 19th House District, Hatcher currently holds a 6.6-point lead over Ogles with nearly 90 percent of the votes counted, as Ogles was first elected in 2022. Looking ahead, the primary for this district is set for August 18, and the conservative Club for Growth has committed to spending at least $1.1 million to prevent Collins from returning to Congress.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 09:49 UTC)
Ogles has faced backlash for his history of anti-Muslim statements, including a controversial remark claiming that “Muslims don’t belong in American society.” In a shocking response to a question about Palestinian children killed by US-funded bombs, he stated, “You know what? I think we should kill them all, if that makes you feel better,” later clarifying that he meant “Everybody in Hamas.” Meanwhile, Hatcher has pushed back against Ogles’s rhetoric, emphasizing that there are American Muslims who are law-abiding citizens and soldiers serving honorably, as Democrats seek to leverage economic discontent and the war on Iran to gain political ground.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 08:50 UTC)
Charlie Hatcher has defeated Ogles by a margin of six point six percentage points, with nearly ninety percent of the votes counted, and will go on to face Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, in November. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee offered a late endorsement for Hatcher, which may have played a role in the outcome. This marks the second primary loss for a Trump-endorsed candidate this week, following Amir Hassan's defeat in Michigan.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 07:02 UTC)
A super PAC funded by a California billionaire and regular Democratic donor has invested $2 million in an effort to unseat Republican Congressman Andy Ogles, focusing on his stance regarding renewable energy policy. This significant financial backing highlights the increasing importance of environmental issues in political campaigns. The move reflects a growing trend where major donors are targeting specific candidates based on their policies.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 05:34 UTC)
In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Andy Ogles has lost the Republican primary for Tennessee's 5th District, despite receiving an endorsement from President Trump. Charlie Hatcher emerged victorious, securing 53.2% of the vote and will now be the GOP nominee. This primary was marked by a dramatic district reshape, which likely played a significant role in the outcome.