Tennessee 5th District
Andy Ogles (R) lost the primary. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussCharlie Hatcher
Republican · dairy farmer, veterinarian and former agriculture commissioner
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Hatcher has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Hatcher.
Raised $1,803,851 since January 2025: 83% from people, 9% from PACs and other committees, 8% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Chaz Molder
Democrat · mayor of Columbia and attorney
DLiberty Score D63 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Molder has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Molder.
Raised $3,531,778 since January 2025: 88% from people, 9% from PACs and other committees, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Charlie Hatcher. Charlie Hatcher: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Chaz Molder: D, 63 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Tennessee: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Charlie Hatcher, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Hatcher, so the grade above comes from this list: what Hatcher has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Explained his backing for the war on the Islamic Republic by saying its leaders mean it when they say death to America.
“i believe when they [iran] say death to america, they mean it”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Defending the war on the Islamic Republic as a response to the regime's threats is the with side of this measure.
-
Called tariffs a tool to bring other countries to the table for fair trade, without naming which tariffs.
“a tool in the toolbox to bring the [foreign] countries to the table, so we can negotiate, and then we can have fair and balanced trade.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He treats tariffs as a negotiating tool and does not back or reject broad tariffs, so it does not settle the measure.
-
Says he will fight for lower taxes and less unnecessary regulation.
“he will fight for small businesses, lower taxes, less unnecessary regulation, and an economy that rewards hard work, investment, and entrepreneurship.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is with liberty on free markets.
-
Says he believes in protecting religious liberty and the sanctity of human life, without naming a law.
“charlie believes in protecting religious liberty, defending the rights of parents, supporting the sanctity of human life”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No rule on religion in government or schools is named, so it does not settle the measure.
-
Wrote that he supports a Republican agenda that includes a strong military.
“i firmly support the republican agenda: lower taxes, less regulation, secure borders, a strong military, american energy, and responsible government”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A strong military is with liberty on defense.
-
Supports enforcing immigration law and giving Border Patrol the resources it needs.
“charlie supports enforcing america's immigration laws, providing border patrol with the personnel, technology, infrastructure, and resources necessary to do its job”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing immigration law and funding the border is with liberty on borders.
Chaz Molder, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Molder, so the grade above comes from this list: what Molder has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Answered no when asked whether he supports the war in Iran.
“do you support president trump's war in iran? no.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing the American war on the Islamic Republic is the against side of the Iran regime measure.
-
Said he supports asking the very wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes.
“i support closing tax loopholes, enforcing the laws already on the books and asking the very wealthiest americans to pay more.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on the wealthy is against liberty on free markets.
-
Said he would start by reversing blanket tariffs that raise prices.
“i would start by reversing blanket tariffs that raise prices on american families”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
-
Described himself as a capitalist and not a socialist.
“a capitalist, not a socialist”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting socialism is with liberty on free markets.
-
Says he supports a strong national defense.
“i support a strong national defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a strong defense is with liberty on defense.
-
Said President Trump has done a very good job helping secure the borders.
“president trump has done a very good job in helping secure our borders, particularly compared to what the biden administration did.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Praising stronger border security is with liberty on borders.
-
Said violent criminals who are in the country illegally should be identified and removed.
“violent criminals who are in this country illegally should be identified and removed.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Removing people here illegally who commit crimes is with liberty on borders.
-
Said ICE has overstepped and called for oversight of its spending and an end to indiscriminate raids, while keeping the agency.
“i would demand congressional oversight of ice's spending and conduct, an end to indiscriminate raids, and consequences when agents violate people's rights.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He wants limits on how ICE operates, not an end to ICE or to deportations, so it does not settle the measure.
Also on the ballot
James Johnson (Independent), Micheál O'Leary (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
Tennessee 5th District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.