A first-term member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus successfully secured his first primary election as an incumbent on Thursday evening.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., overcame a challenge from Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston, who adopted a more moderate stance compared to the freshman Republican.
This was a crucial political win for the Freedom Caucus during this election cycle following the narrow defeat of its chairman, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., in June, who is now facing difficult odds in a recount held on Thursday.
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Rep. Andy Ogles is engaged in his first primary re-election contest. (Getty Images)
Good was up against Republican challenger John McGuire, who received support from House GOP national security figures such as House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., among others.
According to financial reports, Johnston narrowly outpaced Ogles in fundraising efforts. Her contributions through July 12 totaled nearly $785,000 in individual donations, while Ogles raised just over $500,000.
Johnston also attempted to link Ogles to Good and the group of seven Republicans who successfully removed ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in October, although Ogles was not among the eight who voted against McCarthy’s leadership.
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House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good is currently in a tight race during a recount held on Thursday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“The incumbent has created chaos. The removal of McCarthy was a complete disaster, not just for the Republican Party, but for Congress overall,” she mentioned to local news outlet WPLN.
However, Ogles received backing from prominent national Republicans, including former President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
“Andy is dedicated to Boosting the Economy, Curbing Inflation, Securing our Southern Border, Maintaining the Rule of Law, and Supporting our Second Amendment,” Trump stated on Truth Social in May. “I was honored to assist Andy in flipping a Democrat seat in 2022, and he has my full and total endorsement for re-election. He will make you proud!”
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Ogles received an endorsement from former President Trump. (Felipe Ramales for Fox News Digital)
Ogles won the Tennessee 5th Congressional District in November 2022 after its boundaries were adjusted to include a smaller portion of Nashville’s downtown area, which had previously rendered it a strong blue district.
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With its current boundaries, however, the seat leans Republican—district residents favored Trump over Biden by just over 10 points in 2020.
Ogles triumphed over his Democratic opponent in 2022 by similar margins.
