Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee endorsed Charlie Hatcher in the state’s 5th Congressional District Republican primary on Tuesday, August 5, just one day before voters head to the polls, backing the former agriculture commissioner against incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, who has President Donald Trump’s backing.
“Charlie Hatcher and I have been friends for 25 years,” Lee said in a video posted to Facebook. “I’m a cattleman, he was our veterinarian.”
Hatcher, a veterinarian who served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture from 2019 until his retirement last year, is running in a race that has tightened considerably. A poll conducted late last week found Ogles leading Hatcher 36.9 percent to 32.7 percent among likely GOP primary voters, with more than 30 percent still undecided—putting the race within the margin of error. Hatcher has also out-raised Ogles in fundraising this cycle, and he received a late endorsement from former Gov. Bill Haslam in recent weeks.
The endorsement marks a rare moment of intra-party tension, with Lee openly backing against Trump’s candidate. Ogles, who is seeking a third term in the House, received Trump’s endorsement last year and benefited from a July 28 tele-rally where Trump urged supporters to vote for him. “I’m asking all of you to get out and vote for Andy Ogles. He’s been a friend of mine. He’s a terrific guy,” Trump said during the call.
Ogles has compiled a voting record closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, voting in line with the president 100 percent of the time last year according to VoteHub. However, he has drawn criticism for controversial statements, including remarks in March that Muslims “don’t belong in American society,” which he doubled down on shortly after. Less than three months later, he posted that homosexuality “has no place in America” on social media during Pride Month, a statement he later deleted and blamed on a staffer. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) called the post “absolutely idiotic.”
Lee’s endorsement comes as the primary race reflects broader changes to the district itself. Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature redrew the 5th District earlier this year in a mid-cycle redistricting that removed Nashville and its surrounding areas, shifting the seat toward rural West Tennessee and Memphis. The redrawn district is considered more favorable to Republicans overall, though the primary contest suggests the race remains competitive.
Lee, who is term-limited and cannot run for reelection this fall, said Hatcher has “stood with” Trump since day one. Hatcher has indicated he will support Trump’s agenda if elected to Congress. The winner of Thursday’s primary will be heavily favored in the general election, where they will face Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, who has raised nearly twice as much as either Republican candidate combined.
Sources
- WPLN News — Gov. Lee’s endorsement of Hatcher, their 25-year friendship, and the tight polling
- The Hill — Lee’s video endorsement statement, Trump’s tele-rally remarks, Ogles’ voting record and controversial statements about Muslims and LGBTQ+ people
- Nashville Banner — Polling data showing Ogles leading 36.9% to 32.7% with 30% undecided, redistricting context, and early voting information
