Republican Andy Ogles lost the primaries despite Trump's support

US Representative Andy Ogles, known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric, lost his Republican primary in Tennessee on Thursday to Charlie Hatcher, the state's former agricultural commissioner. This is a rare defeat for a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump.

With nearly 90% of the votes counted, Charlie Hatcher was leading Andy Ogles by 6,6 points. The US president had, however, given the incumbent his "full and complete endorsement" on election day itself, Thursday. Hatcher also identifies as pro-Trump, but it was he who secured the Republican nomination.

Ogles, first elected in 2022, was running in a district redrawn by Tennessee Republicans to solidify their majority in the House of Representatives. He also received a late endorsement from Governor Bill Lee, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.

The outgoing representative had drawn condemnation across the political spectrum for his remarks against the Muslim community. In March, he wrote on X: “Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.” In 2024, when questioned on the Capitol by an activist who asked him if he had seen images of Palestinian children killed by US-funded bombs, he replied: “You know what? I think we should kill them all, if that makes you happy.” He then clarified: “Everyone in Hamas.”

Hatcher had distanced himself from this rhetoric. "There are Muslims who are American citizens, law-abiding people, and soldiers in the American army who are good fighters," he had told the Williamson Scene, a local newspaper, in June.

Ogles is the second Trump-backed candidate to lose a primary this week. On Tuesday, Amir Hassan, a Navy veteran from Michigan, was defeated by Thomas Smith, a candidate who had suspended his campaign before the vote.

In November, Hatcher will face Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, a city south of Nashville. The district traditionally leans right, but Democrats are looking to capitalize on economic discontent and the Iran nuclear deal to gain seats across the country. All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats will be up for grabs in the midterm elections.