Incumbent Andy Ogles (R) defeated Courtney Johnston (R) in the Republican primary in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District on Aug. 1, 2024.
As of Aug. 2, 2024, Ogles had 56.5% of the vote and Johnston had 43.5%.
Ogles was first elected in 2022 after winning the Republican nomination with 35.4% of the vote in a ten-candidate primary.
“Olges came under fire for his behavior in Congress and response to the Covenant School shooting” during his first term,” said writer with Hoodline in a written article. “A third candidate, Tom Guarente (R), filed to run but withdrew from the primary. Nashville Banner reporter Stephen Elliott said that Guarente said a “split ticket would make unseating Ogles harder.”
Ogles ran on his record, saying he “has always been a fighter, whether for limited government, better economic policies, or more freedom.”
“I’m committed to his mission of upholding the Constitution and excelling in the representation of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District,” said Ogles in regards to running on his record.
In an April 2024 press release, Ogles’ congressional office said he had submitted 100 bills. Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Ogles on May 11, 2023.
Johnston was, at the time of the election, a member of the Nashville Metro Council.
Johnston said she was running because Ogles had not delivered for the district during his first term, saying the district “deserves a Member of Congress who is interested in fighting for our beliefs instead of just fighting for headlines.”
Johnston ran on her council record, saying she secured funding for parks and law enforcement and fought tax increases.
As of Jun. 18, 2024, Ogles reported $139,852 in fundraising and $95,349 in cash on hand, while Johnston had not reported any fundraising.
Ogles’ fundraising total was the second-lowest for any U.S. House incumbent running for re-election, surpassing only Rep. Scott DesJarlais’ (R) $134,518. Ogles’ cash on hand total was the 15th-lowest among any House incumbent running for re-election.
As of Jun. 18, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Likely Republican. In 2022, Ogles defeated Heidi Campbell (D) 55.8%–42.3%.
All 435 seats are up for election. Republicans have a 220 to 213 majority with two vacancies. As of June 2024, 45 members of the U.S. House had announced they were not running for re-election.
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 54.5%-43.2%.
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