Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles loses Tennessee GOP primary
Why it matters: Ogles became one of a rare group of incumbents denied renomination in a cycle with the most such defeats since 1970.
Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump, lost his party's primary in the state's 5th Congressional District. Ogles has represented the district since 2023 and now joins an unusually large number of incumbents who failed to win renomination this year.
The BBC reported that Ogles had been dogged by controversies during his time in Congress, including an investigation into alleged campaign finance violations that ended without criminal charges. He also drew backlash over anti-Muslim social media posts.
The Republican primary winner is expected to face Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who won the Democratic primary, in November. Despite the loss in Tennessee, Trump's endorsements remained influential in other contests this week, including Republican primaries in Michigan, Kansas and Washington state.