Who's running in Tennessee's 5th congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Support for President Trump's agenda, which he calls the most impactful of our lifetime.
Gun rights and opposition to abortion.
Agriculture and farm country — 'You want something hard done right? Hire a farmer.'
Grassroots campaigning and strong constituent services, including regular visits across the district.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, 2019–2025.
Livestock veterinarian; fifth-generation dairy farmer; founder of Hatcher Family Dairy and, by his account, eight businesses.
Defeated incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles in the August 6, 2026 Republican primary, 53.2% to 46.8%.
Endorsed by Gov. Bill Lee, former Gov. Bill Haslam and former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue; endorsed by President Trump after the primary.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture under his leadership did not apply for $7.2 million from the USDA's LFPA Plus local food programme; the DCCC says he was unaware the deadline had been missed.
Lives just outside the redrawn district.
Raised $719,503 through July 17, 2026, with $104,821 on hand.
Arguments in favor
A grassroots campaign, Christian conservative values and a regular-guy approach beat an incumbent; he supports the president's initiatives and promises to keep meeting people where they are and deliver good constituent service.
— Charlie Hatcher, to WSMV
'Good luck Charlie. Run tough and hard. You have my complete and total endorsement.'
— President Donald Trump, Truth Social post reported by WSMV
Arguments against
A 'political insider' who fails to show up: as agriculture commissioner his department missed out on $7.2 million for small farms by not applying, and he skipped every meeting of a state education subcommittee on rural schools; in Congress he would rubber-stamp an agenda that raises costs.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, 'The Case Against Charlie Hatcher'
He 'limps out of a messy primary with no resources and no message'.
— Suzan DelBene, DCCC chair
What we couldn’t verify
Hatcher's direct response to the DCCC's claims about the missed USDA funding was not found beyond the DCCC's own characterisation.
His positions on health care, tariffs and the Iran war were not published in the coverage found.
Hatcher and Molder appear poised to debate before November, according to the Williamson Scene; dates and formats had not been confirmed in the coverage read.
Bipartisan local-style governance, including balanced budgets.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Mayor of Columbia since 2018; re-elected in 2022.
Attorney.
Says he has passed eight straight balanced budgets as mayor; the DCCC says seven, without raising property taxes.
Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary with 40.5% over Yolanda Cooper-Sutton (32.8%) and three others.
Named to the DCCC's Red to Blue programme; endorsed by former Reps. Jim Cooper and John Tanner.
Lives just outside the redrawn district.
Raised about $2.6 million before the primary, keeping most in reserve.
Arguments in favor
He has won twice by wide margins in a county Trump carried by more than 45 points, passing balanced budgets and saving local services, and 'has never been distracted by partisan politics or political games because he's focused on delivering results'.
'Voters don't want a reason to vote against someone, they want a reason to vote for something' — he is focused on gas and grocery prices and rent, against a Washington that cares more about helping itself.
— Chaz Molder, to WSMV
Arguments against
The new district was drawn to elect Republicans — it carves Memphis into three seats — and most forecasters rate it safe or solid Republican, making his general election an uphill fight.
— Nashville Banner reporting; forecaster ratings
Democratic primary voters were split: former Memphis City Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton came within single digits of him and outpolled him in Lauderdale County, home to his wife's family.
— Nashville Banner primary results reporting
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC or Hatcher campaign criticism naming Molder specifically could be found; NRCC statements found were aimed at the DCCC's recruits in general.
His positions on specific federal legislation were not published in the coverage found.
Hatcher and Molder appear poised to debate before November, according to the Williamson Scene; dates and formats had not been confirmed in the coverage read.
Listed as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election by the Nashville Banner and WSMV.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so his background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against his candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Picked up a petition in March 2026 to run in the Republican primary; qualified instead as an independent for the general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
His positions on federal issues could not be established: his campaign website returned no readable content, and the only published statements found were his criticisms of Andy Ogles, who is no longer in the race.
No published argument for or against his candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Tennessee held its primaries on August 6, 2026, under a new congressional map signed May 7, 2026 that split Memphis into three districts. The new 5th District includes parts of Williamson and Maury counties, then runs northwest through rural West Tennessee and down the Mississippi River into central Memphis. There is no incumbent on the November ballot: Rep. Andy Ogles lost the Republican primary to former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, 53.2% to 46.8%, despite President Trump's endorsement. Trump endorsed Hatcher the next day. Four candidates are on the ballot: Hatcher; Democrat Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, who won a five-way primary with 40.5%; and independents James A. Johnson and Micheál O'Leary. The roster is confirmed by the Nashville Banner and WSMV after the primary, plus Wikipedia and Ballotpedia. NewsChannel 5's pre-primary guide listed Johnson among the Democrats, but he did not appear in the Democratic primary results and later reports list him as an independent. Candidate order here is Republican, Democrat, then independents alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. The redrawn lines barely exclude the homes of both Hatcher and Molder, who chose to run anyway. The DCCC has named Molder a Red to Blue candidate. Most forecasters rate the seat safe or solid Republican; one rates it lean Republican. Molder raised about $2.6 million before the primary.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Tennessee ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Tennessee Secretary of State.