Congressman Andy Ogles defends record, dismisses critics as he faces Republican challenger

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles is touting his record and dismissing his critics as he faces both Republican and Democratic challengers in this year's 5th Congressional District election.

Months after he was elected to Congress in 2022, Ogles took part in opposition votes, before eventually backing the then-California congressman Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House.

Months later, McCarthy was ousted from the speaker's chair, in part by a vote from fellow Tennessee congressional Rep. Tim Burchett. 

“I never had a problem with Kevin McCarthy,” Ogles told The News. “In fact, I had a great relationship with Kevin McCarthy, but it was all about changing the rules of how the House of Representatives was run.” 

“I didn't go up there [to Capitol Hill] to go to a cocktail party,” Ogles continued. “I went up there to legislate and try to save the republic, the way the people in the 5th District elected me to do. Under the old rules that was hard to do.”

Ogles lists immigration and border security among his top legislative priorities if elected to a second term, arguing that those concerns are also top of mind for Republican voters in the 5th District.

He has called for “MASS DEPORTATIONS” with “NO SANCTUARY” and “NO AMNESTY” but pushed back against the idea of the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Ogles said that a part of that larger issue includes the ongoing nationwide opioid crisis, specifically with fentanyl, and he hammered home examples of recent high-profile crimes throughout the country allegedly committed by immigrants. 

Numerous research suggests that immigrants do not commit more crimes in the United States than native born citizens.

Ogles also reiterated his support for the Second Amendment, adding that his conversations with Covenant School parents, which lies in his district, have not changed his mind about supporting gun reforms in the wake of the mass shooting that killed three children and three school staff members last year.

“I think the issue on gun reform is the same issue that you might have with immigration reform; it's I don't know that reforms are needed,” Ogles said. “I think we simply need to enforce any existing laws that are on the books.”

Ogles also addressed what he said are economic and social needs, specifically saying that veterans and seniors need access to more local medical services in their communities.

“We've got to be the dominant predator economically, which means we have to be energy independent, we've got to have a pro-business [government], and we've got to push back against China,” Ogles said.

“I've become known, my team has become known, as a prolific producer of quality legislation,” Ogles said, touting what he's said is a record 100-plus pieces of legislation introduced by a freshman congressman.

Ogles also said that he has “had quite a few” of his sponsored bills “signed into law by the president.”

According to the BillTrack50, Ogles has had three of his sponsored or co-sponsored bills signed into law. 

One of those bills was a joint resolution “related to a national emergency declared by the President in March 2020,” as well as a second joint resolution “disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.” The third bill was “an act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, and to support programs at the Marine Corps Heritage Center.”

Ogles also introduced three amendments to national security bills which were each signed into law.

Ogles has been vocal supporter of Israel and an even more vocal opponent of Palestinians, calling for a ban on Palestinian refugees coming to the U.S.,introducing legislation to send pro-Palestinian student protesters to Gaza as punishment, and coming under fire for his rhetoric when pressed by pro-Palestinian activists in Washington D.C. in February.

Last month, the Nashville Banner reported on one Nashville family who has lost more than 240 relatives in Gaza in the nearly year-long conflict following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

When asked by The News to respond to that story and the calls from thousands of Tennesseans who are advocating for a ceasefire agreement and increased humanitarian aid, Ogles reiterated his support for Israel.

“Anyone who's caught in the crossfire, my heart breaks for them, but Israelis shouldn't suffer, Israelis should not have to stand down, because there are bad actors out there that are trying to destroy them,” Ogles said.

“The issue you have is that the humanitarian aid isn't reaching the civilians. …When you see individuals starving, that's because Hamas is starving their own people so that they get a photo op out of it.”

Ogles record, challenges and challengers

“I stand on my record,” Ogles told The News, but that record – both as a congressman and a congressional candidate – has been called into question by Republicans and Democrats alike.

Ogles has been the subject of numerous news reports questioning his false statements about his professional and educational background and qualifications, unaccounted money meant for a children's burial garden, civil penalty payments for multiple campaign finance violations, and amended campaign finance reports.

Some of those scandals led a prominent Nashville Republican to call for Ogles’ resignation just months into his term, equating him to disgraced and now-former New York Republican congressman George Santos.

When asked about these controversies, Ogles responded “My record stands for itself, and a biased reporting from a left-leaning journalist doesn't make it true.”

Ogles was specifically referring to NewsChannel 5's investigative reporter Phil Williams. When asked why he chose not to directly answer Williams’ questions – oftentimes staying silent and walking away from Williams – Ogles said “I've addressed those issues,” before ending the interview with The News.

Prior to the end of our interview with Ogles, we asked him about his Republican primary challenger, current District 26 Metro Nashville councilmember Courtney Johnston, who has called Ogles a “totally ineffective politician who’s getting nothing done” and “a do-nothing grandstander who just chases headlines."

“I don't think she can run on her record, because her Metro Council record speaks for itself, so the only thing she can do is call me names, and I'm totally going to ignore that,” Ogles said. “I'm not gonna call someone silly names on the playground.”

Johnston’s record has earned her endorsements from the Nashville Fire Fighters and Fire Service Employees Association IAFF Local 140 as well as local Fraternal Order of Police chapters in Nashville, Lebanon, and Williamson, Maury and Wilson counties. She’s also been endorsed by retiring state Rep. Sam Whitson (R-Franklin).  

Among Ogles’ endorsements are state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), Americans for Prosperity Action, and former President Donald Trump, the latter of which Johnston said doesn't concern her in the congressional race.

“Our polling shows that less than 20 percent of Republican primary voters care about a Trump endorsement in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District,” Johnston told The News. “This election is about character, integrity and getting things done, and Andy has none of those things and doesn't do any of those things. It's about Tennessee; it's about good representation.”

One thing that Ogles and Johnston agree on is that they both want Republicans representing the 5th Congressional District and the presidency, with Ogles saying “The Republicans have to win if you want a prosperous economy.”

Early voting in the primary runs from July 12-27. The winner of the Republican primary will face off against Democratic challenger and Nashville activist Maryam Abolfazli in November's general election.