Endorsements are stacking up in the final hours before the Aug. 6 primary election in the races for governor and numerous high-profile congressional seats.
Significantly, outgoing Gov. Bill Lee made his first endorsement on Tuesday for 5th Congressional District candidate Charlie Hatcher, who is hoping to unseat sitting U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the Republican primary. Lee has yet to make any endorsements in the race for governor.
Here's a look at some of the other notable names that have made statements in favor of candidates in highly contested races ahead of Election Day.
Governor
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has touted widespread support from many establishment elected officials, including fellow U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, U.S. Reps. Matt Van Epps and Tim Burchett and various members of the Tennessee General Assembly, including Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson.
Blackburn leads gubernatorial race in PAC donations from law firms, healthcare companies and large corporations
Businessman and media personality Dave Ramsey, Republican activist Riley Gaines and conservative media activist Robby Starbuck have all also endorsed Blackburn. She has also racked up endorsements from groups such as the Tennessee Professional Firefighters Association, Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
U.S. Rep. John Rose is touting the support of more than 300 farmers and more than 200 business leaders, including H.G. Hill Realty Company chair Jimmy Granbery as well as support from former U.S. Rep. Diane Black.
5th Congressional District
Incumbent 5th Congressional District Republican Rep. Andy Ogles secured the formal endorsement of President Donald Trump, who praised Ogles in a July 28 televised rally, saying he believes that Ogles “will be really enshrined as one of the best congressmen that you'll ever see.”
Other Ogles supporters include U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty and state Rep. Gino Bulso.
Ogles’ primary challenger, former state agriculture commissioner and Republican candidate Charlie Hatcher, now has the endorsement of Gov. Bill Lee and former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam.
Hatcher also has the support of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson and former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp.
Democratic candidate Chaz Molder was endorsed by former Gov. Phil Bredesen, former U.S. Rep. John Tanner and retiring U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.
6th Congressional District
State Rep. Johnny Garrett and former 4th Congressional District Rep. Van Hilleary face off in the Republican primary for the seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. John Rose.
Rose has not endorsed either candidate, but Hilleary was Rose's chief of staff until he stepped away to launch his congressional bid. State Sen. Paul Bailey and the mayors of Crossville and Cumberland and Sumner counties have all supported Hilleary.
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Riley Gaines have backed Garrett.
Both men tout their Trump loyalties, but the president has not weighed in on the race.
9th Congressional District
Trump has endorsed state Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) in his bid to represent the recently gerrymandered 9th Congressional District, saying that he’s “strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Tennessee.”
Taylor’s likely Democratic challenger, state Rep. Justin Pearson, was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and the progressive action organization MoveOn and TIRRC Votes. Fellow 9th District Democratic candidate state Sen. London Lamar has the endorsement of retiring 9th District U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
