Rep. Ogles Loses Tennessee Primary to Former State Official

Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee has lost his Republican primary, as projected by NBC News. Ogles fell to Charlie Hatcher, a former state agricultural commissioner, amid a primary season marked by several incumbents losing renomination.

Hatcher gained support from prominent establishment Republicans, securing victory over Ogles, who was backed by President Donald Trump. Given the district’s political dynamics, Hatcher is favored to win the general election. Hatcher was featured in a campaign event at Southall Angus in Franklin, Tenn., on July 13.

Ogles struggled against a massive ad campaign funded by a pro-clean energy group, which he criticized in a Fox News interview. Although Trump endorsed Ogles, Hatcher’s support came from figures like Gov. Bill Lee, former Gov. Bill Haslam, and former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

Ogles has a history of controversies, involving remarks against Muslims and a deleted homophobic post. Additionally, Ogles faced an investigation regarding campaign finance violations. The Justice Department, which had seized his cellphone, later returned it to him. Despite these challenges, Ogles had previously resisted a well-funded opponent but was unsuccessful this time.

Hatcher maintained allegiance to Trump and aimed to differentiate himself from Ogles, emphasizing action over rhetoric. On his website, Hatcher questioned, “Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing.”

This year, Ogles joins eight other House members, both Democrats and Republicans, who lost their primaries. This marks the most such losses in a nondecennial redistricting year since 1970. Furthermore, Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas also lost their primaries, while Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas withdrew after finishing second.