Metro Nashville Councilwoman Courtney Johnston on Friday officially announced her primary challenge to Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05).
In a statement emailed to Tennessee media, Johnston declared, “I’m running for Congress because I believe in public service and in just a few short years on the Metro Council, I’ve been able to deliver real results.”
Johnston (pictured above, right) twice made critical statements about Ogles in her announcement, asserting that the popular incumbent is “fighting for headlines” over his constituents.
The councilwoman said she supports former President Donald Trump, is pro-life, and is “for immediately securing the border, and fully funding law enforcement.”
She stated, “Andy Ogles says he believes all that too — but he’s a totally ineffective politician who’s getting nothing done.”
Johnston continued, “He hasn’t passed a single bill into law. We need a real conservative leader who will deliver results, not a do-nothing grandstander who just chases headlines. That’s why I’m running.”
Johnston also highlighted her experience on the Metro Council, stating, “I’ve seen first hand what the radical left wants to do in Nashville, and we can’t let that happen in Washington, D.C.”
The councilwoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Federal Elections Commission (FEC) report filed by Johnston reportedly lists seasoned fundraiser Kim Kaegi, who raises money for both Democrats and Republicans, as the campaign’s treasurer. Johnston’s FEC official statement of candidacy does not include information about a treasurer.
The Tennessee Star previously reported Kaegi planned to serve as a fundraiser for Johnston’s campaign, and days later, Kaegi partnered with a pro-abortion Democratic lawyer in Knoxville to create a political advocacy group, The Best of Tennessee, that claims to focus on moderate politics.
Johnston’s challenge to Ogles comes despite the incumbent receiving Trump’s endorsement. The former president noted that Ogles previously flipped Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District from Democratic to Republican.
“Congressman Andy Ogles is a fantastic Representative for the incredible people of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District,” wrote Trump.
The former president also noted, “I was pleased to recently receive his Endorsement for President.”
Ogles has also secured the endorsements of Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04). He was also endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus, which named him one of its Top Defenders of Liberty in 2023.
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Courtney Johnston” by Courtney Johnston. Photo “Andy Ogles” by Andy Ogles.
Andy Ogles has been one of the very best Members of Congress. This TINO is a plant. Agree with earlier comment—no sale.
She’s so pro-life and “Conservative”, she needs rabid left-wingers and infanticide worshippers to fund and run her campaign. No sale.
your wasting your time and money gal.
The RINOs are trying to get Ogles to spend big $ on a primary campaign to help a Dem win the Nov election.