Trump Endorsement Saves Lawmaker Dogged by Resume Questions
Andy Ogles wins tough GOP primary in Tennessee against Nashville council member Courtney Johnston
Updated Aug. 1, 2024 11:19 pm ET
Rep. Andy Ogles (R., Tenn.) with supporters after being declared the winner in his Republican primary Thursday, Photo: Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
Freshman Rep. Andy Ogles (R., Tenn.) won a tough primary Thursday, lifted past a GOP challenger by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press projected Ogles as the winner. With more than 90% of the vote counted, Ogles led with 56.5% to 43.5% for his opponent.
Ogles, who colleagues think has his eye on running the hard-line Freedom Caucus, has made headlines with controversial stances and has been trailed by questions about whether he inflated his résumé. He was outspent by his opponent, Nashville Metro Council Member Courtney Johnston, and critics in the party say Ogles is focused more on getting attention than serving constituents and doesn’t deserve another term.
But he is backed by Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, who said Ogles has “demonstrated he is truly dedicated to putting America First” by introducing and supporting legislation that “secure our southern border, stop inflation, uphold the rule of law, and defend the Second Amendment.”
Ogles, 53 years old, a former mayor of Maury County, Tenn., entered Congress in January 2023. His first act was to oppose party leader Kevin McCarthy’s effort to become House speaker. After the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in 2022, Ogles said: “The next thing we have to do is go after gay marriage.” He recently introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Johnston said it is all for show. “It’s just to chase headlines and to get on Fox News,” she said in an interview. “People are tired of it, they are tired of the chaos.”
