Incumbent Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District held onto his seat on Election Day, defeating Democratic challenger Maryam Abolfazli.
“A bigger win is on its way for us,” Abolfazli told supporters gathered at Henrietta Red in Germantown, conceding the race. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take. I’m committed to it, and you’re committed to it.”
Ogles’ win secures the Republicans another seat in the United States House of Representatives. The Trump-endorsed political firebrand has been the subject of numerous reports noting 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. Some of those scandals led Nashvillian and prominent Republican donor Bobby Joslin to call for Ogles’ resignation just months into his term, with Joslin comparing Ogles to New York’s disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos.
Challenger Abolfazli has energized Democratic voters but faces an uphill battle in gerrymandered district
The day after Ogles’ Aug. primary win, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided his office and seized his cellphone as part of an investigation into the congressman’s financial reporting. Ogles characterized the FBI’s investigation as a politically motivated attack on his campaign, but insists that he is not the “target” of the investigation, the details of which remain unclear.
Abolfazli’s background includes nonprofit work and international political and economic development. She also led a series of protests in support of gun reform at the Tennessee State Capitol in the wake of last year’s Covenant School shooting. That work led to her being recognized as one of the Scene’s 2023 Nashvillians of the Year.
Meanwhile in Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, progressive Democrat and relative political unknown Lore Bergman was overwhelmingly defeated by incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose. This will be the fourth congressional term for Rose, a Donald Trump loyalist who has faced ongoing criticism for his marriage to a woman 24 years his junior. District 6 covers the northeast portion of Middle Tennessee, stretching from Millersville and Portland at its western edge to Crossville at its eastern border. Due to successful Republican-led redistricting efforts, the gerrymandered district also contains a large swath of Davidson County as of 2022.
D. Patrick Rodgers contributed to this article.
