Tennessee Primaries Reshape Congressional Races, Trump-Backed Candidate Defeated

What Happened

On Thursday, August 7, 2026, primary elections across Tennessee determined key matchups for the November general election, with several notable outcomes. In Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, a Democrat, secured his party's nomination, as projected by Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). Molder defeated former educator Carrie Ann Iacomini and a Memphis City Council member to advance. Concurrently, the Republican incumbent for the 5th District, Rep. Andy Ogles, who had received an endorsement from President Trump, was projected to lose his primary challenge. Dr. Charlie Hatcher, the former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, emerged victorious against Ogles, marking a significant upset. In another closely watched race, Tennessee state Rep. Johnny Garrett won the Republican primary for the U.S. House seat being vacated by outgoing GOP Rep. John Rose. Garrett, who identifies as a “Trump Conservative,” will now face Democratic nominee and former park ranger Mike Croley in the general election. Furthermore, state Rep. Justin Pearson, a prominent member of the 'Tennessee Three,' won the Democratic primary in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, defeating state Sen. London Lamar, community activist Marion LaTroy Alexandria-Williams, and attorney Jim Torino.

What the Evidence Establishes

The primary results, based on projections from Decision Desk HQ, establish several definitive outcomes. Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder (D) is confirmed as the Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. In the Republican primary for the same district, former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Charlie Hatcher successfully unseated incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, despite Ogles's endorsement from President Trump. This outcome represents a direct challenge to the influence of presidential endorsements in state-level primaries. For the open seat in Tennessee's U.S. House race, state Rep. Johnny Garrett (R) secured the Republican nomination to replace Rep. John Rose. In the 9th Congressional District, state Rep. Justin Pearson (D), known for his involvement with the 'Tennessee Three,' won the Democratic primary. Pearson's campaign amassed millions of dollars, significantly outpacing his Democratic opponents, and he received backing from progressive groups like Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, MoveOn, and Indivisible, as well as prominent 'Squad' members including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Summer Lee, who rallied with him in Memphis last month.

Where the Accounts Conflict

The provided source documents do not present conflicting accounts regarding the outcomes of the Tennessee primary elections. Both 'The Hill' and 'Fox News' report on distinct races and their respective results, largely relying on projections from Decision Desk HQ. 'The Hill' details the Democratic primary win for Chaz Molder in TN-05, the Republican primary defeat of Andy Ogles in TN-05, and Johnny Garrett's Republican primary win for John Rose's open seat. 'Fox News' focuses specifically on Justin Pearson's Democratic primary victory in the 9th Congressional District. While 'Fox News' highlights Pearson's 'Squad-backed' status and the broader context of the 'Tennessee Three,' this framing does not contradict the factual outcome of his primary win. Instead, the sources offer complementary information, each focusing on different aspects or races within the broader Tennessee primary landscape, without presenting contradictory facts about who won which contest.

Context and Stakes

These primary results unfold against a backdrop of significant political shifts in Tennessee. The defeat of Rep. Andy Ogles, a Trump-endorsed incumbent, in the 5th Congressional District primary signals a potential weakening of former President Trump's influence in certain Republican contests, or at least a limit to its absolute power. This outcome could embolden other challengers to Trump-backed candidates in future elections. The victory of Justin Pearson in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District is particularly notable. Pearson gained national prominence in 2023 as one of the 'Tennessee Three' lawmakers who were expelled and later reinstated after participating in a gun-control protest on the state House floor following the Covenant School shooting. His win, supported by national progressive figures and organizations, demonstrates the continued electoral viability of this progressive faction. The redrawing of Tennessee’s congressional map played a critical role, dividing Memphis among three Republican-leaning districts and leading to the retirement of long-serving Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen. This redistricting effort, which occurred before the new map, had previously consolidated Memphis into the 9th District, providing Democrats with a reliable seat in an otherwise Republican-dominated state. The new map now favors the GOP in all nine districts, making Pearson's general election race a significant test of Democratic resilience in a challenging landscape.

What to Watch Next

Attention will now shift to the November general elections, where the newly nominated candidates will face off. In Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, the contest between Democrat Chaz Molder and Republican Dr. Charlie Hatcher will be a key indicator of voter sentiment, particularly after the incumbent's defeat. Hatcher's ability to consolidate the Republican base, especially those who supported Ogles and President Trump, will be crucial. For the open seat replacing Rep. John Rose, Republican Johnny Garrett will contend with Democrat Mike Croley. Garrett's self-described 'Trump Conservative' stance suggests a continued alignment with the former president's political movement. The most closely watched race will likely be in the 9th Congressional District, where Justin Pearson, backed by national progressive groups and 'Squad' members, will face his Republican opponent. Given the district's redrawn boundaries, which now favor the GOP, Pearson's ability to mobilize his base and attract independent voters will be a significant challenge. The financial resources Pearson has accumulated, reportedly millions of dollars, will be a critical asset in this competitive environment. Observers will also monitor how national party organizations engage with these races, particularly in the 9th District, given Pearson's national profile and the district's altered political leanings.

Bottom Line

The Tennessee primary elections on August 7, 2026, have set the stage for a series of competitive general election contests that will test both party strength and the influence of national political figures. The defeat of Rep. Andy Ogles, a candidate endorsed by President Trump, in the 5th Congressional District Republican primary, indicates that such endorsements are not always decisive, even in a state with strong Republican leanings. This outcome suggests a potential shift in the dynamics of intra-party contests. Simultaneously, the victory of Justin Pearson in the 9th Congressional District's Democratic primary, despite significant redistricting efforts designed to favor Republicans, underscores the enduring appeal and organizational strength of progressive movements, particularly those with national backing. The upcoming general elections will provide a clearer picture of whether these primary results represent isolated incidents or broader trends in Tennessee's political landscape. The financial resources and national attention garnered by candidates like Pearson will be critical factors in determining the final composition of Tennessee's congressional delegation, which has been predominantly Republican since 2023, with the new map further solidifying GOP advantage across all nine districts.