The Tennessee 5th congressional district, currently represented by Republican Andy Ogles, has a very strong red tilt politically. But that hasn’t stopped at least a few Democrats from entering or considering entering the ring against Ogles in 2026.
Democrat Nashville Metro Council member Mike Cortese announced his campaign a few weeks ago at a statewide party fundraiser, the Three Star Dinner. Cortese is telling donors and potential supporters that he has already raised over $100,000 for the race in just two weeks.
Cortese and other Democrats are clearly encouraged by Ogles’ meager campaign fundraising report for the period ending June 30. Ogles reported raising only $53,187.28. He currently has $59,406.19 cash on hand and continues to report a $20,000 outstanding loan to himself.
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder confirmed this week that he is also “strongly considering” entering the 5th Congressional District race as a Democrat.
Molder became Mayor of Columbia in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. He grew up in Columbia and graduated from the University of Tennessee and University of Memphis law school before returning home and beginning a law practice.
Ogles was the Mayor of Maury County, where Columbia is located, prior to his election to Congress in 2022. https://andyogles.com/
Other Democrats who have announced their campaigns or are considering running are Dr. Joyce Neal (an adjunct professor and military veteran), healthcare executive Jim Torino, and political organizer Maryam Abolfazli, who lost the general election to Ogles in 2024 by a margin of 57-39%.
Cook Political Report rates the 5th District as “Solid Republican” with a +8 GOP margin heading into the 2026 cycle. Based upon those calculations, and the fact that Democrats will face some tough races to retain seats and may see other Republicans nationally as more vulnerable than Ogles, it is unlikely that the Democrats will pour significant resources into a campaign against Ogles. That is particularly true since there will be two strong statewide Republican candidates on the ballot in November, 2026 with a Governor’s race and Tennessee, Senator Bill Hagerty running for reelection with little or no Democrat opposition.
Steve Gill is Publisher of TriStar Daily and is a state and national political commentator.
