GOP governor endorses candidate challenging Trump-backed congressman in Republican US House primary

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee endorsed former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, the candidate running against President Donald Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in a Republican U.S. House primary.

"Charlie Hatcher and I have been friends for 25 years," Lee said in a video, noting that "for seven years, he served as my commissioner of agriculture. I know Charlie. I know his conservative values and how much he loves our country."

Lee asserted that Hatcher "has stood with President Trump since day one."

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The governor's last-minute endorsement on Tuesday came just ahead of the August 6th primary, but after early voting in the contest had already ended.

"Join me in voting for Charlie Hatcher this Thursday, August 6th," Lee said in the video.

In part of a Facebook post that featured the governor's video, Hatcher noted, "I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of my longtime friend, Governor Bill Lee. Bill and I have known each other for decades, and I have tremendous respect for his faith, his leadership, and his commitment to serving the people of Tennessee.

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"I especially appreciate the faith he placed in me when he appointed me to serve as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture. It was an honor to serve in his administration and work on behalf of Tennessee’s farmers, families, and rural communities," he noted in the post.

Ogles has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2023.

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Trump endorsed him for re-election last year, calling him "a Conservative Warrior."