In Tennessee’s recent primaries, Trump-backed incumbent Andy Ogles was ousted, while Republicans aim to reshape their congressional representation with a newly redrawn map ahead of the November elections.
President Donald Trump’s influence among Republican voters faced a significant test in Tennessee on Thursday, as the state held its first primaries under a newly redrawn congressional map. This map was designed to enhance the Republicans’ chances of expanding their slim majority in the U.S. House this fall.
The night yielded mixed results for Trump in two closely watched Republican House primaries. State Senator Brent Taylor, who received Trump’s endorsement, secured the GOP nomination in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. Meanwhile, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Trump-endorsed incumbent Representative Andy Ogles in the 5th District.
Taylor’s victory sets the stage for a November showdown against progressive state Representative Justin Pearson, who is backed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and gained national attention as one of the “Tennessee Three” lawmakers expelled after a gun control protest in 2023.
In another significant development, Senator Marsha Blackburn won the Republican gubernatorial nomination, positioning her to potentially become Tennessee’s first female governor. Her victory could also lead to an opening for another U.S. Senate appointment.
Following her win, Blackburn expressed gratitude to her supporters, stating, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Tennessee! One year ago, we set out on this journey with one goal: to make Tennessee America’s conservative leader and show the nation what strong, bold, conservative leadership looks like. I am humbled and honored that you’ve chosen me as your Republican nominee for Governor. Together, we’ve taken a major step toward that goal. I won’t let you down. On to November.”
Ogles’ defeat marked a notable setback for Trump. The former president had actively supported Ogles, praising him during a virtual rally last month as a strong businessman and an America First lawmaker. Despite Trump’s intervention, Hatcher, who was endorsed by term-limited Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, managed to secure an upset victory over the two-term incumbent.
Ogles, who also had the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson, faced a substantial financial campaign against him. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition, a clean-energy super PAC primarily funded by California crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, spent roughly $1 million opposing Ogles and supporting Hatcher. This included an additional $700,000 in advertising just before the primary, according to a review of federal filings by Fox News Digital. Ogles accused the group of targeting him for opposing Biden-era clean-energy subsidies and suggested that his close ties to Trump made him a target.
Additionally, Ogles was navigating unfamiliar territory after Tennessee Republicans significantly redrew his 5th District. While the changes made the district more favorable for Republicans in November, they also introduced Ogles to a new GOP electorate that had not previously elected him.
The redistricting effort did not stop with Ogles’ district. Tennessee Republicans reconfigured the state’s congressional lines this spring, dismantling the Democratic-controlled 9th District and creating an opportunity for Republicans to potentially transform Tennessee’s current 8-1 GOP delegation into a 9-0 sweep.
This redistricting prompted longtime Democratic Representative Steve Cohen to abandon his reelection bid in the Memphis-area district, which has shifted from a Democratic-leaning area to one that now favors Republicans. The results of Thursday’s primaries have set the stage for a highly nationalized battle for that seat.
Taylor, who won the GOP primary in the 9th District, carries Trump’s endorsement, while Pearson, the Democratic primary winner, has received support from members of the far-left “Squad” in Congress. Taylor will aim to secure the final seat needed for a clean sweep of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, while Pearson will strive to maintain a Democratic presence in the Memphis-area district despite the less favorable map.
In the gubernatorial race, Blackburn defeated Representative John Rose in the Republican primary, clearing a significant hurdle toward the governor’s mansion in the heavily Republican state. If elected in November, Blackburn would make history as Tennessee’s first female governor.
Her victory could have implications beyond state politics. Blackburn was reelected to a six-year Senate term in 2024, allowing her to run for governor without relinquishing her Senate seat, unlike Rose. However, if she wins the governorship, she would have to vacate her Senate seat, leading to further political maneuvering over her potential successor.
These developments highlight the evolving political landscape in Tennessee as the state prepares for the upcoming elections, with implications that could resonate well beyond its borders, according to Fox News.