Welcome to A Very Special Thursday episode of As the Midterms Turn. Or is it The Dumb and the Useless? All My Children might actually fit with the emergence of the Democratic Socialists who get triggered by Thanksgiving, Culver’s, old white people, and … [checks notes] … oh yeah, the Joooooos.
Well, I have good news for readers tonight – none of that applies to the Tennessee primaries tonight. At least, all of that sits in the background of a contest that will completely reshape the Volunteer State’s House contingent. The state legislature passed a new congressional map this year that eliminates the majority-black district represented for the last 20 years by … [checks notes again] … Rep. Steve Cohen. Cohen tried to sue to stop the map from becoming official, and then wisely decided to retire rather than run in a competitive district.
Tonight, everything old is new again, at least in House races. Or at least it is in Memphis, where Cohen’s old district got split up between three new districts. The expectation will be for a 9-0 Republican delegation to the House, so keep a close eye on the districts that intersect with Memphis, which are CDs 5, 8, and the new 9. Even though this is a chance for a GOP pickup, the big fight may be in the 5th CD, where incumbent Andy Ogles faces a challenge from state agricultural commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Outgoing Governor Bill Lee has endorsed Hatcher over the two-term incumbent:
On Tuesday, Lee issued his endorsement for Charlie Hatcher, the GOP candidate to represent Tennessee’s District 5 in the U.S. House of Representatives. That seat is currently held by Rep. Andy Ogles, who is running for reelection and is Hatcher’s only opponent in the GOP Primary.
Ogles has represented the district in Congress since 2023.
Hatcher, a fifth-generation dairy farmer who has spent the past seven years serving as the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, said he’s “deeply honored” by the endorsement, saying he and Lee “have known each other for decades.”
“As farmers and businessmen, we both understand the value of hard work, responsible leadership, and getting the job done. I am grateful for Governor Lee’s friendship, his confidence in me, and his support of our campaign,” he said. “In Congress, I will work hard, serve people, and get the job done by pursuing sensible, problem-solving solutions. I will defend our conservative values, support President Trump’s agenda, and fight to lower the cost of living for Tennessee families.”
Oh, what drama! Hatcher also got an endorsement from former Gov. Bill Haslam last month. Can Ogles leverage incumbency to survive, or will he end up in the Thomas Massie Club? That may be the most contentious race on the ballot, although TN-06’s GOP primary is wide open between four non-incumbents, and the same is true in TN-09. Democrats have four or more candidates in each of the redrawn districts too, but the others are safely Republican enough that enthusiasm for challenges didn’t materialize.
As for statewide offices, current US Senator Marsha Blackburn will likely win the nomination for governor easily today. If she wins, either she or Lee will appoint a replacement at the transition, and that replacement will serve until the 2028 election cycle. Tennessee’s other Senate seat is up for election, but incumbent Bill Hagerty didn’t draw a challenger, so he’s focused on the general election already. Five Democrats are vying for the nomination, none of whom are nationally recognizable.
As always, our election partners at Decision Desk HQ will provide live results from vote counts after the polls close at 8 PM ET tonight. Keep checking back for updated results!
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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