In Tennessee's Republican primaries on Thursday, voters delivered a mixed verdict on former President Donald Trump's influence, ousting his endorsed incumbent in one key House race while supporting another Trump-backed candidate. The primaries also highlighted the impact of newly redrawn congressional maps, which Republicans designed to strengthen their majority in the U.S. House and potentially secure all of the state's congressional seats.
In the 5th Congressional District, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Trump-endorsed incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Trump had publicly supported Ogles, including participating in a virtual rally last month, but Hatcher, who received an endorsement from term-limited Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, secured the victory. Ogles attributed his loss, in part, to outside spending by the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition, a super PAC funded by crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, which spent approximately $1.7 million opposing him. Ogles suggested the group was retaliating for his opposition to clean-energy subsidies and that his close ties to Trump had made him a target. The district itself was significantly reshaped by redistricting, presenting Ogles with a new electorate.
Meanwhile, Trump-backed state Sen. Brent Taylor won the Republican nomination in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. He is set to face off in November against progressive state Rep. Justin Pearson, a member of the "Tennessee Three" who gained national attention after his expulsion from the state legislature following a 2023 gun control protest. Pearson, who has the backing of some progressive members of Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, will attempt to hold onto a Democratic foothold in the Memphis-area district despite the less favorable map.
Republicans redrew Tennessee's congressional lines this spring, aiming to consolidate power and potentially flip the 9th District, which was previously controlled by Democrats. This redistricting effort led to longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen abandoning his reelection bid in that district. The outcome of the 9th District race in November could be critical in the broader battle for House control.
In statewide races, Sen. Marsha Blackburn secured the Republican nomination for governor. She will face Democratic challenger Greyson Dye in November. Blackburn, who was reelected to her Senate seat in 2024, would have to vacate her Senate position if elected governor, potentially creating another vacancy in the U.S. Senate.
Rep. John Rose also competed in the Republican gubernatorial primary but lost to Blackburn. Unlike Blackburn, Rose had to resign his House seat to run for governor.