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Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost his bid for renomination Tuesday, becoming one of the highest-profile congressional incumbents to fall in the 2026 primary season despite receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
NBC News projected that former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Ogles in the Republican primary, handing the controversial two-term congressman a major political setback in the safely Republican district. Hatcher is heavily favored to win the general election.
The defeat marks another incumbent casualty in an election cycle that has seen an unusually large number of sitting members of Congress lose their primaries. According to Vital Statistics on Congress, Ogles is the ninth House member — including six Democrats and three Republicans — to lose renomination this year, the highest total in a non-redistricting year since 1970.
Establishment support outweighs Trump’s endorsement
Although Ogles secured Trump’s endorsement, Hatcher built a coalition of influential Tennessee Republicans that proved decisive.
Hatcher was backed by Gov. Bill Lee, former Gov. Bill Haslam and former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, among other prominent Republican leaders. Throughout the campaign, he embraced Trump’s agenda while arguing that he would be a more effective representative.
“Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing,” Hatcher’s campaign website declared.
Ogles acknowledged late in the campaign that outside spending had become a major factor. In an interview with Fox News, he criticized a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign funded by a pro-clean energy organization that targeted his record.
Campaign finance reports showed Hatcher significantly outraised and outspent the incumbent during the race.
Controversies dogged Ogles
Ogles entered the primary carrying political baggage from several controversies during his time in Congress.
Earlier this year, he drew criticism after stating that Muslims do not belong in American society. He also deleted a social media post widely condemned as homophobic, later blaming the message on a staff member.
Last year, Ogles called for the federal government to revoke the citizenship of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and deport him.
Separately, federal authorities investigated Ogles over alleged campaign finance violations. Although investigators seized his cellphone as part of the probe, he has not been charged with any crime. Ogles told The Associated Press that the Justice Department has since returned the device.
Another incumbent falls
Despite surviving a well-funded primary challenge in a previous election, Ogles was unable to withstand Hatcher’s broader coalition of support this year.
His defeat continues a difficult election cycle for incumbents from both parties.
In addition to the nine House members defeated in primaries, Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas also lost their renomination bids earlier this year. Another Republican congressman, Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, withdrew from his runoff election and resigned from Congress after finishing second in his primary.
The outcome underscores that Trump’s endorsement, while still influential, has not guaranteed victory for every Republican incumbent during the 2026 primary season.
