Trump touts wins in Tennessee primary despite Ogles loss

Administration Trump touts wins in Tennessee primary despite Ogles loss Comments: by Sophia Vento - 08/07/26 12:40 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Sophia Vento - 08/07/26 12:40 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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President Trump touted his endorsement track record Friday after one of his picks, Rep. Andy Ogles (R), lost his Thursday primary in Tennessee.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, throwing his support behind Charlie Hatcher, who defeated Ogles to secure the Republican nomination.

Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner, was backed by term-limited Gov. Bill Lee (R) ahead of Thursday’s primary for the 5th Congressional District. Ogles, whom Trump held a tele-rally for in late July, has come under scrutiny in recent months for statements about Muslims and homosexuality.

Hatcher’s win on Thursday marks the second loss on the president’s endorsement scorecard this week. In Michigan, Trump-backed Amir Hassan lost his Republican House primary to take on Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) on Tuesday. Thomas Smith, who dropped out of the race, secured the GOP nod.

Trump’s primary endorsement record has remained largely strong this cycle, though he has notched some high-profile losses in key gubernatorial primaries. His initial picks for governor in Iowa, South Carolina and Georgia all fell short in their respective primaries.

Still, he has secured some key primary wins, successfully helping to oust GOP Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and Bill Cassidy (La.), along with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), in their contests earlier this cycle.

In Tennessee, Trump notably declined to endorse in the GOP primary for governor. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn clinched the nomination, beating Republican Rep. John Rose. The president reportedly noted the awkwardness in the race, according to the Nashville Banner, as he had endorsed both candidates in previous elections.

His endorsees in seven of Tennessee’s nine House districts won their primaries on Thursday. He did not weigh in on the primary to fill Rose’s seat in the 6th Congressional District. GOP state Rep. Johnny Garrett secured the nomination for the solid-red seat, defeating former Rep. Van Hilleary (R).