Ogles Wins Tennessee Primary for Open Seat GOP Hopes to Flip

Andy Ogles prevailed in a 10-candidate field in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District's GOP primary on Aug. 4, 2022. Courtesy of Mayor Andy Ogles for Congress

Maury County, Tennessee, Mayor Andy Ogles, who campaigned as a pro-Donald Trump “America First” conservative and was the target of multiple attack ads, topped a crowded field on Aug. 4 to win the Republican nomination in the state’s reconfigured 5th Congressional District.

The GOP field for the open seat featured nine candidates, plus video producer Robby Starbuck, who ran as a write-in option. Ogles won with 37 percent of the vote, defeating former state House Speaker Beth Harwell by about 11 percent, followed by former Tennessee National Guard joint staff director Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead.

Cooper Not Seeking Reelection

Rep. Jim Cooper, the Democratic incumbent, has represented the district since 2003 but announced in February that he wouldn’t seek reelection. Republicans are seeking to reclaim control of the U.S. House and the party believes that one of the seats it can flip is the redrawn 5th District, which includes part of Nashville.