Incumbent Congressman Andy Ogles has lost the GOP primary to Charlie Hatcher, despite the backing of President Donald Trump.
A former Tennessee agriculture commissioner, Hatcher outraised Ogles and received late-race endorsements from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Bill Haslam.
Last primary, Ogles had fended off a challenge from a better-funded opponent in Nashville Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston, but Hatcher’s endorsements — paired with internal polling — indicated a closer race than years past.
Trump endorsed Ogles early last year and campaigned for him during early voting.
“He’s a source of inspiration to a lot of people in Congress. They really respect him, and I respect him,” Trump told voters during a July tele-rally.
Ogles’ defeat coincides with a recent dip in Trump’s approval rating in Tennessee. From last November to this May, that rating fell 7 percentage points, down to less than half, according to a Vanderbilt University poll.
Hatcher has still aligned himself with Trump in campaign materials while presenting himself as a down-to-earth alternative to Ogles.
