In perhaps the biggest upset of Thursday’s primary elections, former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher has unseated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles as the Republican candidate in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
Despite President Donald Trump endorsing Ogles last week, Hatcher benefited from the support of Gov. Bill Lee, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Brentwood Mayor Nelson Andrews and other political leaders.
“So apparently, ‘Hire a farmer’ resonated with the constituents of the 5th District,” Hatcher said to supporters at his election night event in Franklin at Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits. “It's my farmer roots that taught me work, taught me to put God first and humble me every day when I wake up 50 feet from a milk barn. I'm going to carry that work ethic, that ability to get the job done, to solve problems as veterinarians and farmers do every day, and to serve others. That's what my motto was when I was commissioner of agriculture, and that's what I intend to do.”
Charlie Hatcher's election night event at Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits
Hatcher also thanked Ogles for a cordial and friendly campaign and said Ogles called to congratulate him and offered to help him transition.
The expansion of the 5th Congressional District from six to 16 counties brought in more rural communities, something Hatcher hoped would give him a leg up. He also aims to be more accessible to constituents, and has echoed Trump’s stance of being a political outsider — even calling himself “pretty naive.”
Gov. Bill Lee backs Hatcher in opposition to Ogles for 5th Congressional District
Hatcher announced his campaign in October following his retirement as a commissioner after seven years in the role. A farmer and livestock veterinarian, he also previously served as the state veterinarian at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Hatcher pitched himself as a “workhorse” and Ogles as a “show horse.” During the campaign, Ogles’ events were private, and often he refused media questions, while Hatcher leaned on public events and cooperated with the press.
During Ogles’ reelection campaign, he focused on his work as chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. He was known for firebrand antics, including his frequent demonization of Muslims. He experienced a legal victory after the FBI returned seized phones and destroyed information related to a 2024 criminal campaign finance investigation.
In 2024, Ogles defeated Republican challenger and sitting Nashville Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston in the midst of several controversies, including news reports on his false statements about his professional and educational background and qualifications, unaccounted-for money meant for a children’s burial garden, civil penalty payments for multiple campaign finance violations and amended campaign finance reports.
Charlie Hatcher's election night event at Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits
In November, Hatcher will face Democratic challenger Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. Molder earned the endorsement of longtime 9th Congressional District Rep. Steve Cohen, who dropped out of the race immediately following redistricting.
9th Congressional District
State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) launched his campaign in the 9th District before redistricting, but kept his momentum. Pearson faced challenges from state Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis), M. LaTroy A-Williams and Jim Torino the new 9th. Lamar had the backing of Rep. Cohen, but it was not enough to put her over the edge.
In the 9th, both state Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) and state Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) announced their campaigns immediately following redistricting. Ultimately, Taylor won over Republican voters on Thursday.
Warner already represented a portion of Williamson County, and expressed his support of Trump from the get-go. However, Taylor earned the endorsement of President Trump, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and many other local politicians.
Julianne Akers contributed reporting.
