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.
Lee is pushing his RINO buddy. Even Blackburn will be better than Lee.
Special Red Flag Session RINO Bill’s endorsement is worse’n useless.
We’ll stick with Andy.
Andy Ogles has a perfect lifetime Heritage conservative score of 100%. A bit too strong for our tepid conservative governor. And now we know that Charlie Hatcher is a tepid conservative, at best, too. VOTE OGLES!
Lee is not just a RINO he is a leftist. He goes against one of the most truly conservatives we have in DC only proves he is on the wrong side of the fence and always has been. I am so glad I saw him for what he was and never voted for him. Unless you want more of the same vote for Monty Fritts for Governor.
I’ll stick with Ogles! He has a proven track record of being a true conservative. Hatcher, I believe, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing
That pro-clean energy endorsement is a non-starter. Hatcher would be another sellout on day one. And Lee’s endorsement isn’t exactly gold, either.
Not surprised. Lee was never a TRUE conservative of his own accord. He signed into law a lot of conservative laws, but that’s because he didn’t want to go against the General Assembly.
He blocked me from his Facebook page because I was being critical of his stance on abortion, which pretty much was. We shouldn’t be involved in deciding about abortions.
So look who wants Ogles Out, According to a poll cited by a pro-clean energy group investing millions to see Hatcher defeat Ogles.
Not voting for another RINO. Ever.