Voters To Decide GOP Nominee in Potentially Historic Tennessee Congressional Race

Voters are heading to the polls in Tennessee on Aug. 4 for the primary election.

In the state’s 5th Congressional District, 10 Republicans are vying for the nomination. The race has generated national interest since the GOP is striving to regain control of the U.S. House and the party believes that one of the seats it can flip is Tennessee’s 5th District.

The seat is currently occupied by Rep. Jim Cooper (D), who has represented the district since 2003 but announced in February that he would not seek reelection.

Democrats have held the 5th District congressional seat since 1875, but redistricting announced in February split Davidson County through downtown Nashville, shifting portions of the former 5th District to the mostly rural and historically Republican 6th District and 7th District.

When the new congressional maps were approved in February, Cooper announced he would not seek another term.

The historic implications could lead to a Republican winning the 5th District seat for the first time since Ulysses S. Grant was president.

Tres Wittum (L), Andy Ogles (C), and Jeff Beierlein (R) are questioned by economist Jeffrey Tucker at Tennessee 5th Congressional District debate on July 12. (Screenshot/EpochTV)

The district is rated as solid Republican by the Cook Political Report, safe Republican by Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and likely Republican by Inside Elections.

The winner of the GOP primary will face state Sen. Heidi Campbell, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary; and independent candidates Derrick Brantley, Daniel Cooper, and Rick Shannon, in the Nov. 8 general election.

Frontrunners, according to polling are Maury County mayor Andy Ogles, former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, former Tennessee National Guard joint staff director Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead.

The field also includes retired small business owner Geni Batchelor, West Point graduate and U.S. Army combat veteran Jeff Beierlein, homeschool academy operator Natisha Brooks, former

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