Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee lost his Republican primary, falling to Charlie Hatcher, a former state agricultural commissioner. This primary season has seen several incumbents lose renomination, as reported by NBC News.
Hatcher, with the support of prominent establishment Republicans, defeated Ogles, a controversial congressman backed by former President Donald Trump. In the upcoming general election, Hatcher is the strong favorite in this deeply Republican district.
Ogles struggled financially, being outraised and outspent, largely due to a significant ad campaign from a pro-clean energy group. He criticized this effort in an interview with Fox News.
Despite having Trump’s endorsement, Ogles faced competition backed by Governor Bill Lee, former Governor Bill Haslam, and former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Ogles has been involved in several controversies, such as making anti-Muslim statements, deleting a homophobic post, and suggesting the revocation of future New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s citizenship. He also faced an investigation related to campaign finance violations, though no charges emerged. Ogles confirmed to the Associated Press that the Justice Department returned his cellphone after seizing it during the investigation.
While Ogles defended against a well-funded opponent before, he failed this time. Hatcher, while not distancing himself from Trump, maintained alignment with Trump’s policies and drew contrasts with Ogles. Hatcher’s website quoted, “Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing.”
Ogles is among nine House members and two senators who lost primaries this year, marking the highest number in a nondecennial redistricting year since 1970. Additionally, Rep. Tony Gonzales from Texas finished second in his primary and later resigned, avoiding a GOP runoff.
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