Charlie Hatcher defeats incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles in District 5 race
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Charlie Hatcher will be the Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
The Tennessee legislature redrew congressional district lines, expanding District 5 — historically centered around Nashville — to stretch from Nashville to Memphis.
Hatcher defeated incumbent Andy Ogles, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Hatcher is a veterinarian and Governor Bill Lee’s former agriculture commissioner. Lee endorsed Hatcher over incumbent Ogles.
Hatcher says no prominent Tennessee political figures urged him to enter the race, just ordinary voters.
“They want effective representation, and they want to be heard, and they want to have good constituent services,” Hatcher said. “And I don’t think that’s happening now. You just ask the constituents and they’ll tell you. That’s what I hear everywhere I go.”
Hatcher also outlined agriculture policy as a top priority, framing it in national security terms.
“Food security is national security and food is power,” Hatcher said. “It’d be my intention to protect American and Tennessee agriculture because it is the best agriculture on the globe. And we’re under threat from our adversaries.”
Hatcher will go head-to-head with Democratic candidate Chaz Molder in November’s general election for the seat.
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