Member of House Freedom Caucus wins Tennessee GOP primary after attempting to impeach Kamala Harris

Rep. Andy Ogles, a first-term member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, emerged victorious in his first primary as an incumbent on Thursday evening. The win was a significant victory for the Freedom Caucus during this election cycle, especially following the resignation of its chairman, Rep. Bob Good, who lost re-election in June and is currently facing challenging odds in a recount.

Ogles managed to fend off a tough challenge from Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston, who ran a more moderate campaign compared to the freshman Republican. Despite Johnston narrowly outraising Ogles in financial contributions, the incumbent stood firm and secured the win in the primary election.

One of the key points of contention in the campaign was Johnston’s attempt to link Ogles to the ousting of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a move she labeled as chaotic and a blight on Congress. However, Ogles did not align himself with the eight Republicans who voted against McCarthy’s leadership.

On the other hand, Ogles enjoyed the backing of prominent national Republicans, including former President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, who expressed their support for his re-election bid. Trump commended Ogles for his efforts in economic growth, border security, upholding the rule of law, and defending the Second Amendment.

Ogles claimed victory in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in 2022 after the district’s boundaries were redrawn to include less of Nashville’s city center, making it a more Republican-leaning seat. The constituents in the district had previously favored Trump over President Biden by a margin of over 10 points in the 2020 election.

As the election results came in, Ogles solidified his position by defeating his Democratic challenger by similar margins. The outcome of the primary serves as a reaffirmation of the district’s support for the conservative values that Ogles represents.

Overall, Rep. Andy Ogles’ success in his first primary re-election race underscores the ongoing battle between conservative and moderate factions within the Republican Party. With the support of influential national figures and a track record of aligning with the district’s values, Ogles has cemented his position as a formidable force in Tennessee politics.