Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher is projected to win the state's 5th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, defeating Democrat Chaz Molder and independents James Johnson and Micheál O'Leary. The victory comes after Hatcher's GOP primary upset of Rep. Andy Ogles, who had the backing of President Trump.
The seat has remained in Republican hands since Ogles flipped it from Democrats in 2022. However, the district was significantly redrawn in a rare mid-decade redistricting effort that removed all of Nashville, a change that proved costly for Ogles, who lost the area by over 20,000 votes in 2024.
After Hatcher's primary win, Trump switched his endorsement, posting on Truth Social: "Good luck Charlie! Run tough and hard. You have my Complete and Total Endorsement!" Hatcher's campaign website highlights his positions as "pro-Gun. Pro-Life. Pro-Trump. Farm Strong."
In a public forum with Molder, Hatcher identified tackling the cost of living as his top priority. Molder attacked Hatcher over Trump's international tariffs, which are projected to hit Tennessee hard. Hatcher defended the strategic use of tariffs, calling them "a tool; they can be used effectively, sometimes badly," according to the Nashville Banner.
"We need to support American industries, and we need to support American agriculture so that we can … not have other countries hold us hostage," Hatcher said, pointing to agriculture and steel as sectors where tariffs could bolster American producers.
Hatcher also acknowledged occasional disagreements with Trump, particularly the president's plan to import 300,000 metric tons of beef from Brazil and Argentina without tariffs for 90 days at 25 percent below current market prices. Hatcher's stance signals a nuanced approach to trade policy that could resonate with the district's agricultural interests.
The 5th District's GOP lean made the general election favorable for Hatcher, and his victory adds to the party's broader success in Tennessee. This cycle, the GOP has also seen Senator Bill Hagerty win reelection and Garrett secure the 6th District, continuing the state's conservative trend.
Hatcher's win is part of a larger pattern of Republican strength in the South, as seen in Kentucky's GOP victory and Tennessee's 9th flipping. With a focus on economic issues and a strong alignment with Trump's agenda, Hatcher is poised to take office with a clear mandate from the district.
