Incumbent Tennessee Congressman Ogles Defeated in GOP Primary Despite Trump Endorsement
Andy Ogles lost the Republican primary for Tennessee's redrawn congressional district to former agricultural commissioner Charlie Hatcher, marking a rare primary defeat for a candidate backed by President Donald Trump.
Incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Ogles was defeated in the Tennessee Republican primary on Thursday, losing to former state agricultural commissioner Charlie Hatcher. With about 90 percent of ballots counted, Hatcher led Ogles by roughly 6.6 points.
President Donald Trump had issued a "complete and total endorsement" for Ogles earlier in the day, while Tennessee Governor Bill Lee later endorsed Hatcher. The race took place in a newly drawn district that had been reconfigured by state Republicans to maintain their majority in the U.S. House.
Hatcher, who has positioned himself as supportive of Trump, will face Democratic mayor Chaz Molder of Columbia in the November general election. The district traditionally leans Republican, though Democrats are targeting seats amid broader concerns about the economy and foreign policy.
Ogles, first elected in 2022, had previously drawn criticism for remarks about Muslims, including a statement on social media in March that said "Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie." He also made controversial comments in 2024 when asked about footage of Palestinian children, suggesting violence against them. Hatcher rejected those remarks, emphasizing that many Muslims are law-abiding American citizens and serve honorably in the armed forces.
Ogles' loss marks the second instance this week of a Trump-endorsed candidate being defeated in a primary, following the upset of Navy veteran Amir Hassan in Michigan.