Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles held off a primary challenge from Courtney Johnston, a member of the Nashville Metro Council, who outraised the House Freedom Caucus member.
Ogles, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, had nearly 55 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race at 9:24 p.m. Thursday. He’ll be the favorite for the 5th District seat in November, when he’ll face Democrat Maryam Abolfazli, who was unopposed Thursday in her primary, in a red district that would have voted for Trump by 12 percentage points in 2020.
Johnston had argued Ogles was ineffective in his first two years in Congress. In addition to outraising him, a super PAC, Conservatives With Character Inc., spent $641,000 supporting her campaign.
But Ogles had support from his own allies. Groups including House Freedom Action and Americans for Prosperity Action spent $341,000 supporting Ogles and opposing Johnston.
Ogles is an outspoken conservative on Capitol Hill. He introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris last month after President Joe Biden endorsed her to succeed him next year.
His win is a bright spot for the Freedom Caucus on the same day that Virginia Rep. Bob Good, the group’s chair, was hoping a recount in the 5th District would show he won his June primary. Certified vote tallies showed Good finished 374 votes behind state Sen. John McGuire in the June 18 primary.
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