Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue stumped for the Tennessee 5th Congressional District candidate Charlie Hatcher in Franklin on Monday, days before early voting kicks off in the contested primary election.
“I'm convinced this 5th District of Tennessee is a common sense district. Charlie Hatcher has the courage to analyze and make decisions, just as you all have had to do on your farms and places all along. Trust Charlie Hatcher,” Perdue told the crowd of around 50 people at Southall Angus.
That audience included Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell, Republican nominee for Williamson County mayor Andy Marshall, farmers from across the state and several members of the Hatcher family.
“Our democratic republic depends on common sense, everyday people that know how to work hard representing us,” Perdue said. “I am absolutely convinced — having worked in the first Trump administration (and) knowing his affection and affinity for agriculture, agriculturalists, farmers, ranchers — if he knew Charlie Hatcher like I know Charlie Hatcher, he would be doing backflips to endorse Charlie Hatcher for Congress. He's going to get to know Charlie Hatcher in the House, and Charlie's going to be a great common sense Republican representative for this district of Tennessee.”
In May, Hatcher, the former state Agriculture Commissioner and Williamson County farmer, also touted support from former Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp in his bid to unseat incumbent 5th District U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles who has long sported a Trump endorsement as a loyal defender of the president and a national MAGA political firebrand.
“I do think we need more farmers in Washington, D.C.,” Hatcher said. “The political environment today, it's been quite an education for me. Many campaigns are based on fear and anger. That's not the kind of campaign I'm going to run or have. We need somebody in Washington, D.C. that has a half a bit of common sense, like a farmer, that can get to work done, take care of business.”
Hatcher called Perdue’s support “a great honor,” while Perdue dismissed the role that Trump’s endorsement of Ogles could have in the primary.
“Endorsements are good, but you’re really running to represent the people of the district,” Perdue told the Williamson Scene. “That’s the most important thing, and that’s what Charlie Hatcher is committed to do.”
Endorsements are clearly important to both campaigns, as seen on Friday, when the Williamson Scene attempted to cover a campaign event for Ogles in Franklin that included remarks from 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, which organizers said was a private event.
Early voting runs from July 17 to Aug.1, with the primary election set for Aug. 6.
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