As primary races head into the final stretch to August 6, there has been a sudden flurry of endorsement announcements in some of the most-watched races.
In the 5th District congressional Republican primary fight between Congressman Andy Ogles and challenger Charlie Hatcher, Ogles is relying on his endorsement by President Donald Trump as a “trump” card. Trump’s endorsement has been very powerful across the country, but when he is not on the ballot the impact is not always as great. Still, in most cases it’s better to have it than to not have it.
Ogles also relies heavily on his support from the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which is expected to begin advertising on his behalf in the next few days.
Hatcher trotted out an endorsement, and appearance, by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, which Hatcher expects to play well in the rural areas of the district that are heavily focused on agriculture. Like Hatcher, Purdue is a former veterinarian, and he is also a former governor of Georgia.
Hatcher followed up the Purdue announcement with an endorsement by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
In the Sixth District, where Rep. Johnny Garrett and former Congressman Van Hillary are the leaders to replace Congressman John Rose, who endorsed Hillary (his chief of staff) early in the race. Garrett has recently announced endorsements from U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and conservative influencer Riley Gaines from Sumner County.
Hilleary’s endorsements include state Sen. Paul Bailey and the mayors of Crossville and Cumberland and Sumner counties. Hillary has also rolled out the endorsements from several members of Congress in the last few days.
Despite the best efforts from both campaigns, President Trump has not made an endorsement and is not expected to do so.
In the newly drawn 9th District, State Senator Brent Taylor snagged the Trump endorsement and it’s already making it a centerpiece of his tv and online ads. Taylor has also been endorsed by Tennessee’s U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, along with several of his state Senate colleagues.
Taylor also has a financial advantage rolling into the final weeks, thanks largely to the fact he has put over $1 million of his own money into the race. Brent Tayor has 856K cash on hand according to new federal election commission reports.Todd Warner has 485k on hand.
In the Governor’s race Blackburn has the endorsements of numerous state House and Senate members, popular Congressman Tim Burchett and former Knox County Mayor Glen Jacobs. She has also enjoyed heavy support from voucher support groups, and their PACs, like Tennesseans for Student Success, Americans for Prosperity, and Club for Growth, all of whom are counting on her to continue to expand and heavily fund Tennessee’s voucher plan as Governor.
Rose has supportive endorsements from several legislators, county mayors, sheriffs, and other local officials with whom he has worked while on Congress.
Neither Rose nor Blackburn have benefited from a Trump endorsement, although both have highlighted their close attachment to the President and support for his America First agenda.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
