President Trump Stumps for Congressman Ogles in Telerally

President Donald Trump solidified his support of incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles during a telerally on Tuesday evening as early voting continues in the contested 5th Congressional District primary.

The controversial firebrand congressman has long held the endorsement of the president, something he’s now leaning into as he faces primary challenger Charlie Hatcher, Tennessee’s former Agriculture Commissioner.

Trump called Ogles a “terrific guy” who has his “complete and total endorsement,” adding that he believes that Ogles “will be really enshrined as one of the best congressmen that you'll ever see.”

“It’s truly an honor and really surreal to be able to serve in Congress and work with the president of the United States, the arguably greatest president in our history,” Ogles said. He also alleged that “the same folks that funded [former U.S. Vice President] Kamala Harris’ campaign, yes, that’s right, the liberal Kamala Harris, are funding my opponent.”

Other Ogles supporters include U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Sen. Bill Hagerty, State Rep. Gino Bulso, and Williamson County Commissioner Mary Smith.

In recent weeks, Hatcher has seen support from former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, as well as a slew of local endorsements including Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Brentwood Mayor Nelson Andrews, and Republican county mayoral nominee Andy Marshall. 

In May, another supporter, former Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp, called Trump’s early endorsement of Ogles “very soft,” hinting that he believes that Trump could potentially rescind that endorsement and eventually back Hatcher, but that clearly will not happen.

While Hatcher has had numerous public events throughout the election cycle, Ogles has relied largely on private events, including a July 10 campaign event with U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). Despite RSVPing for the event as a member of the press, the Williamson Scene was asked to leave.

Tuesday’s call also featured a recording of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and brief remarks from Freedom Caucus Fund Executive Director Allison Weisenberger. Early voting runs through Aug. 1 with the primary set for Aug. 6.

Hatcher could not immediately be reached for comment, but hours earlier, a Hatcher fundraising email read in part, “Outside groups are trying to drown out our message because they know this campaign is powered by grassroots conservatives, not wealthy donors or the political establishment.”