Inside the results: How redistricting shaped Tennessee’s primary election

Tennessee's recent primaries tested a newly redrawn congressional map, a partisan effort by Republicans to gain an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections. The redistricting broke apart the state's only majority-Black district in Memphis. Key results included Senator Marsha Blackburn winning the Republican nomination for governor and incumbent Representative Andy Ogles, endorsed by Trump, losing the Republican primary for District 5. In District 9, the redrawn Memphis-centered district, State Representative Justin Pearson secured the Democratic nomination, setting up a potentially heated race. Republicans aim to win all nine of Tennessee's congressional seats in November.

US Congressman Andy Ogles lost his Republican primary in Tennessee on Thursday to Charlie Hatcher, the state's former agricultural commissioner. This occurred despite receiving President Donald Trump's endorsement, a rare instance where Trump's backing did not secure a victory in a Republican race. Ogles, who was first elected in 2022, had faced widespread condemnation for anti-Muslim statements, including writing that "Muslims don’t belong in American society" and suggesting that "we should kill them all" in reference to Palestinian children. Hatcher, who also presented himself as pro-Trump, will now face Democratic candidate Chaz Molder in November for the seat in a district that favors Republicans.

Tennessee primary voters have selected state senator Brent Taylor, endorsed by Donald Trump, as the Republican nominee and state representative Justin Pearson as the Democratic nominee for a newly reconfigured US House seat in the 9th congressional district. This redistricting, which split the previously Memphis-based district, is seen as central to Trump's strategy to help Republicans retain a slim House majority. The new district stretches from Memphis across rural areas toward Nashville and now tilts Republican. In other Tennessee races, Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent Andy Ogles in the 5th congressional district primary, and Marsha Blackburn won the GOP Senate primary, while Jerri Green won the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Voters in Tennessee and Hawaii are participating in primary elections to select candidates for the November midterms. In Tennessee, Republicans are aiming for a sweep of all nine congressional districts following a redistricting effort that altered the state's only Democrat-dominated, Black-majority district. This change, prompted by a Supreme Court ruling, has made the Ninth Congressional District, previously represented by Democrat Steve Cohen who left the race, expected to lean Republican. State Representative Justin Pearson is among the Democrats vying for this seat. Key races also include the Republican primary for governor and contests for the Senate and other congressional seats. Hawaii's primaries on August 8 will feature incumbent Democratic congressmen and the Democratic governor facing challengers.

Tennessee is holding its state primary elections on Thursday. Key races include the Republican primary for governor, featuring U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Representative John Rose, with no endorsement from Donald Trump. Additionally, Memphis voters will select their first U.S. House nominees under a new Republican-drawn congressional map that created three Republican-dominated districts from the previously Democratic-leaning city. This redistricting forced the retirement of longtime Democratic Representative Steve Cohen, leading to a competitive Democratic primary in the new 9th District, including state Representative Justin Pearson. U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty is also seeking a second term, with no Republican challenger on the primary ballot. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET across both time zones.