Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday endorsed former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher over the incumbent Republican, U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), according to The Tennessean.
The outlet reported Lee endorsed Hatcher on Wednesday, just two days before the August 6 primary, in “a slight” to Ogles.
After the endorsement was reported by The Tennessean, the governor uploaded a video containing his endorsement to social media, where Lee noted his 25-year friendship with Hatcher.
“Charlie Hatcher and I have been friends for 25 years. I’m a cattleman, he was our veterinarian,” said Lee. “For seven years, he served as my Commissioner of Agriculture. I know Charlie, I know his conservative values, and how much he’s served our country.”
Charlie Hatcher & I have been friends for 25 years.
I was a cattleman — he was our veterinarian. For 7 years, he served as my Commissioner of Agriculture.
Now he’s running to serve TN’s 5th District & secure President Trump’s agenda.
Join me in voting @HatcherforTN on Aug 6. pic.twitter.com/mP4qMy0hWT
— Bill Lee (@BillLeeTN) August 4, 2026
Lee has released at least five similar videos to convey his endorsements of other Tennessee Republicans since July 6.
The governor’s endorsement comes as the race has narrowed to single digits, with the fifth-generation dairy farmer closing the gap against the incumbent, according to a poll cited by a pro-clean energy group investing millions to see Hatcher defeat Ogles.
Citing polling data showing Ogles at 36.9 percent, and Hatcher narrowly trailing at 32.7 percent, the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition (ITC) political action committee last week announced it would invest another $700,000 into the race.
In addition to coming just two days before Tennessee’s primary election, the governor’s endorsement of Hatcher notably also comes after early voting concluded on August 1.
This year, Tennessee reportedly saw more early voters than in the last midterm year, 2022, or the last year with an open primary to decide the major candidates to become Tennessee’s next governor. A total of 396,677 early votes were cast in the Republican primary, compared to 225,293 who submitted an early ballot in the Democratic primary.
Lee’s endorsement also puts him at odds with President Donald Trump, who endorsed Ogles for reelection last year. Trump described Lee as a “RINO Governor” in 2024.
This article has been updated to reflect a video of Lee endorsing Hatcher.
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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 “Bill Lee” by Bill Lee. Photo “Charlie Hatcher” by Charlie Hatcher.
