Andy Ogles beats back well-funded primary challenger

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) defeated his primary opponent on Thursday by a narrow margin despite a flood of outside spending from anti-Ogles groups who sought to capitalize on the freshman congressman’s controversies.

The Associated Press called the race for Ogles at 8:24 p.m., just minutes after the polls closed. Ogles defeated Courtney Johnston, a member of the Nashville Metro Council.

Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District was considered to be the state’s toughest House primary, with Johnston outspending and outraising Ogles significantly. Other than the 4th District, Ogles is the only Tennessee House member who faces a primary challenge.

Many House Republicans rallied to Ogles’s side in recent weeks, donating to his campaign and stumping for him in the state. Johnston hit Ogles over issues the congressman faced during and after his 2022 campaign regarding his campaign finances and record in Congress.

Ogles is one of a few Freedom Caucus members who have competitive primaries this year. Pro-Johnston PACs such as the Conservatives With Character PAC spent $640,000 as of July 24 and were expected to spend a total of $1.2 million by Thursday’s contest.

The congressman will go on to face Maryam Abolfazli, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican” with a 9-point GOP advantage.