TRUMP ENDORSES HATCHER; TAKES SHOT AT OGLES. Fresh off of an upset win over Congressman Andy Ogles in the 5th District GOP primary, Charlie Hatcher picked up an endorsement from President Trump. The X post from Trump was quick, but also included a jab at Ogles, who Trump had recently promoted as one of his closest and most dependable allies. Things move quickly in Trump world. Word leaked out last week that Trump administration officials had reached out to Hatcher to begin to establish a relationship in anticipation that he might secure the win in the new fifth district. So, Trump was already hedging his bets. 
One of the biggest losers in this week’s primary elections is Democrat Chaz Molder, who won his primary and was chomping at the bit to take advantage of Ogles, missteps and weaknesses in the general election in November. Hatcher took advantage of those weaknesses first. Hatcher presents a much more formidable contender for Molder, national Democrats may see other more attractive opportunities than trying to wrest the 5th from Republican control
DEMS GAINED SOME LOCAL SEATS ACROSS TENNESSEE AND ALMOST TOOK OUT WAMP IN HAMILTON COUNTY. Democrats picked up county commission seats across the state, moved themselves into control of the Knox County school board, took the Haywood County county mayor seat, as the Democrat base seemed more motivated than the Republican base across the state.
Republican Washington County in East Tennessee had 3 county commission seats flip from Republican to Democrat and a 4th end in a tie. If the recount holds, it will stay Republican. Nevertheless, it reflects a concerning trend in a strongly, Republican area.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp survived what was shaping up to be a nailbiter throughout most of the evening before stretching out a win at the end of the night.
The Democrat candidate had suffered from exposure of texts threatening school board members earlier this year, but still demonstrated that Democrats are increasingly becoming a factor in Hamilton County elections.
Wamp has said he will not seek another term, having previously promised to abide by term limits.
CLAIBORNE COUNTY RE-ELECTS MAYOR KILLED LAST WEEK. While many candidate are licking their wounds after losing yesterday, they can at least take solace in the fact that they lost to somebody who is living and breathing.
Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks was re-elected Thursday evening during the general election date for local offices in Tennessee. However, his re-election comes with unusual circumstances.
Brooks, who was 56 at the time he was running, died during a motorcycle accident last week, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The office will be declared vacant on September 1, and a special election will be scheduled.
Brooks, who ran as an independent, received 3,809 votes, or 52% of the total. Independent candidate Jack Daniels received 2,733 votes, or 38%, while independent candidate Joe Johnson received 731 votes, or 10%.
COLOR WAR? Tennessee will have a female Governor for the first time in history following the November general election. The question is whether it will be Brentwood Republican Marsha Blackburn or Memphis Democrat Jerri Green. BLACKburn versus GREEN. Very colorful. But don’t expect to see them together on a debate stage as Marsha has already made it clear she has no intentions of debating Green any more than she was willing to debate John Rose and Monty Fritts during the primary.
PUTNAM COUNTY SHERIFF FARRIS HANDILY SECURES 4TH TERM. Despite election shenanigans and smears from Blackburn supporters upset that the extremely popular Sheriff was supporting John Rose, Farris was easily reelected with over 62% of the vote over Cookeville Police Chief Darrin Stout (Independent). Stout received support and endorsements from Democrats in the county.
Meanwhile, Rose trounced Blackburn in the county 57-25%, thanks in part to Farris’ endorsement. Van Hilleary and Johnny Garrett ended with a virtual tie with Garrett at 37% to 35% for Hlleary. Jon Henry’s 20% and Natisha Brooks, who dropped out of the race just before early voting and endorsed Hillary, at 7% Impacted the final division between Johnny and Van, where Van was expected to have an advantage.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
