Charlie Hatcher defeats US Rep Andy Ogles of Tennessee in Republican major – Boston Information, Climate, Sports activities

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher has defeated U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles within the Republican major for a reshaped congressional district.

Hatcher prevailed though President Donald Trump gave an early endorsement to Ogles within the fifth Congressional District. Ogles’ defeat is a uncommon loss for Trump, who has backed principally winners up to now on this yr’s GOP primaries.

Though he lacked the president’s endorsement, Hatcher was endorsed by Republican Gov. Invoice Lee, beneath whom he had served. Hatcher campaigned as pro-Trump whereas emphasizing his farming background.

“Assume what President Trump might do if our congressman spent much less time speaking and extra time doing,” his marketing campaign web site stated.

Ogles, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, has confronted controversy. The FBI seized his cellphone in 2024 as a part of an investigation into his marketing campaign finance reporting. The Justice Division lately agreed to return the machine, signaling that it was abandoning the probe, which started beneath the Biden administration.

The fifth District was redrawn this yr by Republican officers to develop past central Tennessee into extra rural areas and a part of Memphis.

Tennessee major voters picked a pair of Memphis-area lawmakers Thursday to sq. off in a dramatically reconfigured U.S. Home seat that’s central to President Donald Trump’s plan to attempt to maintain on to a slim Republican majority within the midterm congressional elections.

Republicans selected state Sen. Brent Taylor, who was endorsed by Trump, to be their nominee within the revamped ninth Congressional District. Democrats picked state Rep. Justin Pearson, who gained nationwide prominence three years in the past when he was expelled from the Tennessee Home for protesting in assist of gun management measures.

The beforehand compact Memphis-based district had a majority Black inhabitants, but it surely was cracked aside by Republican officers this yr following a U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling that weakened federal Voting Rights Act safety s for minorities. Republicans hope the redistricting, which is a part of a broader nationwide plan pushed by Trump, might give them a clear sweep of all 9 of Tennessee’s seats.

The brand new ninth District stretches about 200 miles (320 kilometers) east from Memphis throughout rural areas earlier than reaching north towards Nashville. It beforehand favored Democrats however now tilts Republican, with 71% of voters new to the district, in response to an Related Press estimate.

Pearson famous to supporters Thursday night time that it was 61 years in the past to the day that the Voting Rights Act was signed. He stated the Supreme Court docket and Tennessee lawmakers have successfully undone parts of it, resulting in the redrawing of the previously majority-Black district.

“The political dilution and degradation of our rights is occurring,” Pearson stated. However he added: “We’re one step nearer to Washington, D.C.”

After the redistricting, longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen introduced that he would now not search reelection.

The redistricting additionally considerably reshaped the fifth Congressional District held by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, who was defeated by former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.

Hatcher prevailed though Trump gave an early endorsement to Ogles. Ogles’ defeat is a uncommon loss for Trump, who has backed principally winners up to now on this yr’s GOP primaries.

The brand new fifth District stretches from Ogles’ base in central Tennessee to the northwest nook of the state earlier than snaking south alongside the Mississippi River to Memphis — with 82% of its voters new, in response to an AP estimate.

Memphis voters voice their dismay over redistricting

For many years Memphis, probably the most populous metropolis in Shelby County, shaped the bottom of its personal congressional district. Now the county is cut up amongst three districts that stretch outward like spokes into rural areas.

Lonzo Taylor, a retired postal employee and navy veteran, stated Black voters like himself have had their voices diluted.

“We solely had one district in the entire state of Tennessee, and also you don’t even need that to be truthful? It’s simply horrible,” stated Taylor, 72. “I like this state, however I’m very disenchanted in our governor,” who referred to as lawmakers right into a particular session for the redistricting.

Milla Meiman, 23, who voted early within the Democratic major, stated she didn’t understand the congressional map had modified till receiving a letter about it within the mail.

“It’s a drastic change to have your district kind of switched round like that,” stated Meiman, who works half time at an ice cream store and public library. Meiman added: “I believe it’s a voter suppression tactic.”

Terrice Thomas, 45, an educator who votes for Democrats, needed to study much more concerning the candidates when she received switched from District 9 to District 8. She is worried Memphis constituents might get missed.

“Is all people going to have an equal say on what’s taking place of their communities and even the folks that you just’re voting for?” Thomas stated. “Are they going to essentially keep in mind the totally different areas and what makes us distinctive?”

Republican Rep. Ogles faces a GOP challenger within the fifth District

The cracking aside of Memphis despatched ripples all through the state that affected Ogles, a conservative Freedom Caucus member who sought reelection and was endorsed by Trump.

Hatcher was a former state agriculture commissioner beneath Republican Gov. Invoice Lee, who endorsed Hatcher for Congress.

Beforehand centered on Nashville and central Tennessee, the district now extends to the northwest nook of the state earlier than snaking south alongside the Mississippi River to Memphis. Alongside the way in which it touches the borders of Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Ogles has confronted controversy. His cellphone was seized by the FBI in 2024 as a part of an investigation into his marketing campaign finance reporting. However the Justice Division lately agreed to return the machine, signaling that it was abandoning the probe, which started beneath the Biden administration.

On the Democratic aspect, the five-way major featured Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who has continued to run within the reshaped district regardless of being drawn out of it.

Garrett wins Republican major for open seat within the sixth District

Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose opted to not search reelection within the sixth District to run for governor as a substitute. That created a contentious major for the Republican-leaning district, which stretches east from Nashville.

State Rep. Johnny Garrett gained a Republican major that included Rose’s latest chief of workers, former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary, who served eight years in Congress earlier than shedding a gubernatorial bid in 2002.

Mike Croley gained a five-way Democratic major.

Republican voters decide Blackburn for governor

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn defeated Rose within the GOP major to succeed Republican Gov. Invoice Lee, who’s barred by time period limits from looking for reelection. Blackburn, who gained her second six-year Senate time period in 2024, must give the seat up if elected.

Memphis Metropolis Council member Jerri Inexperienced gained the Democratic gubernatorial major.

Republicans have held the governor’s workplace since 2011 and gained each U.S. Senate election since 1994. Sen. Invoice Hagerty gained the Republican major with out opposition and can face Marquita Bradshaw, who gained the Democratic nomination, in November.

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The story has been up to date to right the day of the first election to Thursday, from Tuesday.

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Lieb reported from Jefferson Metropolis, Missouri. AP author Geoff Mulvihill contributed from Haddonfield, New Jersey.