After former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher emerged victorious in the Republican primary for the state’s 5th Congressional District, President Donald Trump explained away his endorsement of administration ally U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.
Trump endorsed a candidate in each of Tennessee’s nine congressional district primary races. Ogles is the only candidate carrying Trump’s flag who did not advance to the general election.
Hatcher won the race with 53.2% of the vote to Ogles’ 46.8%.
“Last night was another good night for Endorsements, 8-1, and the 1 was a person who I remained loyal to even though he had virtually no chance of winning, and was running against a Great ‘Trump’ Candidate, and former Agricultural Commissioner of Tennessee, named Charlie Hatcher,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday morning.
Trump then gave Hatcher his “complete and total endorsement” in the general race against Democratic challenger Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder and independent candidates.