Tennessee is set to hold its primary elections on Thursday, with several key races garnering national attention. Among them, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, is facing a primary challenge for his second term representing Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. Ogles, known for his vocal criticism of the Biden administration and his twice-filed impeachment articles against Vice President Kamala Harris, is facing off against Nashville councilwoman Courtney Johnston.
While both candidates share conservative views, Johnston is framing Ogles as a “do-nothing grandstander” who is “mired in scandals.” Ogles, however, enjoys the support of prominent figures within the Republican Party, including former President Donald Trump, the party’s 2024 presidential nominee, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senator Bill Hagerty. Johnston, on the other hand, has the backing of establishment Republicans like former Senators Bill Frist and Bob Corker, and former Governor Bill Haslam.
The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Maryam Abolfazli in the general election in November.
In the Senate race, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, seeking a second six-year term, is considered the clear favorite. She faces a primary challenge from Tres Wittum, a former state Senate policy analyst. The Democratic Senate nomination, however, is a more competitive race, with a crowded field of candidates.
Tennessee, a predominantly red state, also features primaries for state Senate and House seats, where Republicans currently hold supermajorities. The elections on Thursday will offer a glimpse into the political landscape of Tennessee and could influence the national political conversation in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
