Rep. Andy Ogles Loses GOP Primary to Charlie Hatcher in Tennessee

Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has lost the Republican primary, according to projections by NBC News. He was defeated by Charlie Hatcher, a former state agricultural commissioner, during a primary season marked by a surprising number of incumbent losses. Hatcher’s win is attributed to support from prominent establishment Republicans.

Charlie’s backing was notable, as it included endorsements from figures such as Governor Bill Lee, former Governor Bill Haslam, and former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Despite President Donald Trump’s backing for Ogles, Hatcher’s campaign resonated more with voters. Hatcher is now the favorite for the general election in this predominantly Republican district.

Ogles faced financial disadvantages during the primary. He was outraised and outspent, especially due to an advertising campaign by a pro-clean energy group, which he criticized in a Fox News interview. Despite having Trump’s endorsement, Ogles struggled against Hatcher’s well-connected support.

Ogles has encountered several controversies in the past. He made statements suggesting Muslims should be excluded from American society, deleted an offensive social media post attributed to a staffer, and argued for the deportation of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Furthermore, he was investigated for potential campaign finance violations, but no charges were filed. His cellphone was returned after being seized by the Justice Department during the investigation.

Despite overcoming a previously well-funded opponent, Ogles couldn’t replicate this success. Hatcher maintained alignment with Trump and his policies, drawing a contrast with Ogles. On his website, Hatcher highlighted a need for action-oriented leadership in Congress.

Ogles joins eight other House members — six Democrats and three Republicans — who have lost a primary this year. This represents a significant number of defeats in a nondecennial redistricting year, the highest since 1970. Notably, two Republican senators, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas, also lost their primaries. Additionally, Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas finished second in his primary and subsequently withdrew from the race before a GOP runoff.