Although the race was considered competitive, two-term Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles (TN-5) was expected by many to win the GOP primary Thursday night and head to the general election to fight for a third term.
That will not happen, however, as he was defeated approximately 53 to 47 percent by former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Charlie Hatcher, a farmer who received significant financial backing from renewable energy interests.
🚨 NOW: Rep. Andy Ogles JUST LOST his embattled GOP primary in Tennessee's 5th District, to well-financed challenger Charlie Hatcher — DDHQ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 7, 2026
Ogles WILL be missed. He repeatedly called out the Islamic invasion, knows America is a Christian nation and filed to impeach rogue judges!… pic.twitter.com/c9rPLUEnfy
🚨 NOW: Rep. Andy Ogles JUST LOST his embattled GOP primary in Tennessee's 5th District, to well-financed challenger Charlie Hatcher — DDHQ
Ogles WILL be missed. He repeatedly called out the Islamic invasion, knows America is a Christian nation and filed to impeach rogue judges!
This is a district that was redrawn for 2026.
Although controversial to some, Ogles has been a strong voice on immigration issues, rogue judges, and the threat of radical Islam. President Trump had reiterated his support for him before the vote:
"Andy will be really enshrined as one of the best congressmen that you’ll ever see. He’s just fantastic," Trump said. "Andy has always been there when we needed him and when I needed him. He’s been a great help. He’s been a source of inspiration to a lot of people in Congress," Trump said in a post to Truth Social earlier this year.
Conservative podcaster Breanna Morello is sad to see him go:
Congressman Andy Ogles is a great man.
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) August 7, 2026
I’m truly disappointed he lost his primary.
Another L in Congress.
MORE OGLES: Obama-Appointed Judge Faces Impeachment After Outrageous TPS Ruling
GOP Lawmakers Debut Hard-Hitting ASSIMILATION Act — Would Gut Broken Immigration System
The race was at least partly affected by a California billionaire who has a liking for renewable energy subsidies, which Ogles was generally opposed to.
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition super PAC had spent roughly $2 million opposing Ogles and supporting Hatcher. The group has raised $6.7 million this year, making Ogles a sizable portion of their spending this cycle…
A Fox News Digital review of FEC filings discovered that the super PAC is bankrolled by Chris Larsen, the California-based billionaire chairman of Ripple, a financial technology company that, according to its website, offers crypto solutions for businesses.
Larsen is also a frequent Democratic donor, having contributed $5,444,975 to support Kamala Harris's failed presidential campaign.
Ogles:
"When you have a group spending roughly $2 million in a Republican primary, that tells you how much money they're making off of government subsidies, and they're upset that the government welfare has been taken away from them," Ogles told Fox News Digital in an interview.
The good news for Republicans: Hatcher, a fifth-generation Tennessee dairy farmer, is supportive of Trump and has praised him in the past. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, said on X Tuesday that Hatcher ran "to serve TN’s 5th District & secure President Trump’s agenda."
Charlie Hatcher & I have been friends for 25 years.
— Bill Lee (@BillLeeTN) August 4, 2026
I was a cattleman — he was our veterinarian. For 7 years, he served as my Commissioner of Agriculture.
Now he’s running to serve TN’s 5th District & secure President Trump’s agenda.
Join me in voting @HatcherforTN on Aug 6. pic.twitter.com/mP4qMy0hWT
Hatcher will move on to face off against Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder (D) in November in a contest he is widely expected to win.
Politics: it's not for the faint of heart.
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