Donald Trump gave Andy Ogles his full endorsement just hours before voting ended. It wasn’t enough. The Tennessee congressman has now become one of the latest incumbents to lose a Republican primary in a surprising election season.
Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has lost his party’s primary in Tennessee, dealing another setback to a candidate backed by President Donald Trump.
Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated the two-term lawmaker in the Republican race for the state’s 5th Congressional District. Hatcher will now face Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who secured the Democratic nomination, in November’s midterm election.
Trump stood firmly behind Ogles until the very end. Just hours before polls closed, the president urged Republican voters to support him.
“Congressman Andy Ogles is doing a fantastic job,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Andy is a Conservative Warrior who has strong support from his Community.”
Despite that endorsement, Ogles failed to hold onto his seat, becoming the second Trump-backed Republican candidate to lose a primary this week. A Trump-endorsed candidate was also defeated in Michigan, although several other candidates backed by the president won their races across the country.
Ogles has represented Tennessee’s 5th District since 2023 but has faced several controversies during his time in Congress. He was investigated over alleged campaign finance violations but was never charged and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
He also drew criticism over past anti-Muslim comments, including social media posts claiming that “Muslims don’t belong in American society” and that “America and Islam are incompatible.”
The result adds to what has become an unusual primary season in the United States. According to Vital Statistics on Congress, nine sitting members of Congress six Democrats and three Republicans have already lost their party’s nomination, the highest number in a non-redistricting election cycle since 1970.
Trump remains the most influential figure in Republican primaries, with many of his endorsed candidates still winning. But Ogles’ defeat is another reminder that even the president’s backing does not always guarantee victory at the ballot box.
