The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition (ITC) PAC this week announced it would spend $700,000 in new advertisements to unseat U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), who received endorsements from Turning Point USA and President Donald Trump, amid polling they claim shows him narrowly leading his primary challenger, former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher.
According to primary results shared in a press release by ITC PAC, a recent survey found Ogles leading at just 36.9 percent, with Hatcher narrowly trailing at 32.7 percent, and 30.3 percent of voters still undecided after early voting began.
The Burbank, California-based PAC cited the polling while announcing their decision to spend an additional $700,000 in advertising to unseat Ogles, bringing ITC PAC’s total investment to $2 million aimed at unseating the incumbent.
In its press release, ITC PAC CEO and Chairman Tom Matzzie said the group’s opposition to Ogles was based on his multiple votes against clean and renewable energy legislation and tax credits.
“Andy Ogles has made a career out of voting against clean energy jobs and investment flowing into his own district for pure ideological reasons,” said Matzzie. “That kind of extremism has real costs for Tennessee families, and our campaign is here to show that politicians who oppose clean energy do so at their own political peril. Andy Ogles is next.”
The Star contacted the Ogles campaign for comment on the outside spending from the pro-renewable energy PAC in the primary contest for the 5th Congressional District, but did not receive a response prior to press time.
The spending by ITC PAC against Ogles appears to be one of the group’s largest on record. According to German-owned Politico, the PAC spent $1.7 million to defeat U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21) in his primary contest to become the Attorney General of Texas earlier this year, and plans to raise more than $15 million.
ITC has also reportedly considered purchasing advertising to oppose U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) in his campaign for Governor of Arizona, and against U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman (R-SC-05) and Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) in their unsuccessful primary campaigns for Governor of South Carolina.
German-owned Politico also reported that ITC PAC spent $125,000 in support of U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), who has often split with President Donald Trump on key votes. Ogles has been endorsed by Trump.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rep. Andy Ogles” by Rep. Andy Ogles.
