U.S. House · Tennessee's 5th District
Middle Tennessee, including Nashville-area and surrounding counties, under the congressional map Tennessee redrew in May 2026.
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Charlie Hatcher, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Hatcher | 110,408 | 51.7% |
| Chaz Molder | 99,841 | 46.7% |
| James Johnson | 2,641 | 1.2% |
| Micheál O'Leary | 815 | 0.4% |
About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- Tennessee redrew its congressional district boundaries in May 2026 (mid-decade redistricting); the filing deadline for U.S. House seats was reopened until May 15, 2026 after the new map was signed into law.[1]
- Incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles (R) lost the August 6, 2026 Republican primary to Charlie Hatcher, 53.3% to 46.7% (36,085 to 31,626 votes), so he is not on the November 3 general-election ballot.[1]
- Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, won the Democratic primary with 40.9% of the vote in a five-candidate field.[1]
- Race ratings as of September 2026: Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican; Decision Desk and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate it Safe Republican.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 4 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Stricter gun laws
- Chaz Molder—
- Charlie HatcherOpposes[5]
His campaign platform says he would oppose efforts by Washington to create unnecessary restrictions on responsible gun ownership.
- James Johnson—
- Micheál O'Leary—
Research notes & limits
Charlie Hatcher's campaign website (charliehatcher.com) loads; his positions are drawn from Ballotpedia's summary of his campaign materials and that site. No public records were found for independent candidates James Johnson or Micheál O'Leary, so their biographies are left empty.
Sources · 23
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Tennessee's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Charlie Hatcher candidate profile · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 3.Meet Chaz · Chaz Molder for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 4.Issues · Chaz Molder for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 5.Charlie Hatcher's Platform · Charlie Hatcher for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 6.Chaz Molder · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 7.Meet Chaz · Chaz Molder for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 8.Columbia Mayor Announces He Will Not Run for Third Term · Williamson Scene News report
- 9.Tennessee's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 10.Chaz Molder candidate questionnaire · Nashville Banner · 2026-10-11 News report
- 11.U.S. House · Tennessee's 5th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 12.Charlie Hatcher · Ballotpedia Reference
- 13.About Charlie · Charlie Hatcher for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 14.Charlie Hatcher for Congress · Charlie Hatcher for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
- 15.Charlie Hatcher candidate profile · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 16.Charlie Hatcher launches 5th Congressional District campaign · Nashville Post News report
- 17.Charlie Hatcher announces candidacy for Congress · Williamson Herald · 2025-10-15 News report
- 18.Tennessee 5th District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 19.Tennessee's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 20.U.S. House · Tennessee's 5th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 21.Tennessee's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 22.Micheál O'Leary · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
- 23.U.S. House · Tennessee's 5th District results 2026 · NBC News News report