MAGA Firebrand Andy Ogles LOSES Primary

Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District lost his primary on August 6, 2026, to former agriculture commissioner Charlie Hatcher.

Hatcher, a dairy farmer, veterinarian, and former Tennessee agriculture commissioner, defeated Ogles with 53.2% of the vote to the representative’s 46.8%.

Ogles, a member of the Freedom Caucus and a strong ally of President Trump since entering Congress, received strong backing from the president. Trump reaffirmed his “complete and total endorsement” shortly before polls closed and had previously participated in a tele-rally for him. Hatcher, who presented himself as a Trump acolyte, received strong backing from Governor Bill Lee and other politicians seen as part of the Tennessee Republican establishment.

Representative Ogles faced immense controversy during his tenure. He was the subject of a federal investigation into campaign finance issues (he was not charged and denied wrongdoing), faced accusations of inflating the extent of his résumé (career, expertise, etc.), and received backlash over social media posts related to homosexuality and Islam. Outside spending was a strong factor in the outcome of the race. Hatcher received millions from outside organizations and personally outspent Ogles. The House Freedom Caucus spent $789,000 to $810,000 on behalf of the incumbent. Ogles gracefully conceded the race.

Hatcher is heavily favored in the deep-red district against Democrat Chaz Molder (the mayor of Columbia) in the November general election. The loss marked a rare primary defeat for a Trump-endorsed House Republican and one of the few times a Tennessee U.S. House incumbent has lost a primary in the past century.