--- title: "Molder vs. Hatcher: 2026 Tennessee’s 5th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-tn-05" updated: "2026-08-07" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Tennessee’s 5th District race: Chaz Molder (D) vs. Charlie Hatcher (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 7, 2026 In Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher (R) faces Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder (D) in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hatcher defeated incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles in the August 6 Republican primary after district boundaries were redrawn in May 2026. Molder advanced from a five-candidate Democratic primary highlighting his municipal leadership record. ## Candidates - **Chaz Molder** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](http://chazmolder.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Chaz_Molder) - **Charlie Hatcher** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://charliehatcher.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charlie_Hatcher) ## Issues ### Government reform & efficiency Salience: high Molder focuses on ethics reform like banning congressional stock trading, whereas Hatcher emphasizes making the federal government more efficient through a pragmatic, Trump-aligned work ethic. **Chaz Molder:** Supports congressional stock trading ban Molder advocates for restoring public trust in government through ethics reforms, including a strict ban on stock trading by members of Congress. He emphasizes practical local governance over national political conflict. - Advocate for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress - Promote government transparency, accountability, and ethical standards - Focus on constituent-focused local results rather than seeking national media attention > “As your Congressman, I will be committed to restoring trust in our government by advocating for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.” > — Chaz Molder, via [Campaign site](http://chazmolder.com/) > “We deserve a congressman who wants to go to Washington to make local headlines for the right reasons, instead of attempting to make national headlines for the wrong reasons.” > — Chaz Molder, via [Campaign site](http://chazmolder.com/) **Charlie Hatcher:** Supports government efficiency and Trump alignment Hatcher emphasizes bringing a work-hard farmer's mentality to Washington to increase federal government efficiency and results. He aligns himself with President Donald Trump, criticizing political showmanship in Congress. - Prioritize making the federal government run more efficiently with business and agricultural common sense - Support President Donald Trump's legislative agenda by focusing on execution over talk - Contrast his pragmatic 'work horse' approach against congressional 'show' politics > “Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing.” > — Charlie Hatcher, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charlie_Hatcher) > “I consider myself a work horse and my opponent is a show horse.” > — Charlie Hatcher, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charlie_Hatcher) ### Economy & cost of living Salience: high Molder emphasizes direct cost reduction on household necessities and labor organization rights, while Hatcher relies on his track record as an entrepreneur and agricultural commissioner. **Chaz Molder:** Supports lowering costs and labor rights Molder advocates for federal policies aimed at reducing everyday costs for groceries, housing, and healthcare for Tennessee families. He also champions organized labor protections and highlights his municipal fiscal record of passing eight balanced budgets. - Lower everyday living expenses including groceries, housing, and healthcare - Protect workers' right to organize and strengthen labor protections - Highlight municipal fiscal experience having passed eight consecutive balanced budgets as mayor > “I am dedicated to championing affordability for Tennessee families, farmers, and seniors. This means advocating for policies that lower everyday expenses, such as healthcare, housing, and groceries.” > — Chaz Molder, via [Campaign site](http://chazmolder.com/) **Charlie Hatcher:** Supports business growth and agriculture Hatcher leverages his private-sector experience as a business founder and state Agriculture Commissioner to support economic growth. He positions his background as a fifth-generation farmer and owner of eight businesses as the foundation for economic policy. - Promote business experience from founding eight successful enterprises including Hatcher Family Dairy - Apply agricultural commissioner leadership to support local farmers and agribusiness - Emphasize private-sector entrepreneurship to solve economic challenges > “a livestock veterinarian, started eight successful businesses from scratch including the Hatcher Family Dairy.” > — Charlie Hatcher, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charlie_Hatcher) ### Healthcare Salience: medium **Chaz Molder:** Supports expanding care and rural hospitals Molder treats affordable healthcare as a basic right, prioritizing lower care costs and support for rural hospitals. He advocates for expanding health insurance coverage and investing in preventive care services. - Ensure rural hospitals receive direct financial and operational support to prevent closures - Lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs for constituents - Expand health insurance coverage and invest in community preventive services > “I am committed to fighting for lower healthcare costs and ensuring that our rural hospitals receive the support they need to stay open and serve our families effectively.” > — Chaz Molder, via [Campaign site](http://chazmolder.com/) **Charlie Hatcher:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/tn-05-house-election-winner) — TN-05 House Election Winner: Republicans 90.0%, Democrats 9.8% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-TN05-26) — TN-05 House winner?: Charlie Hatcher 90.0%, Chaz Molder 12.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXTNPRIMARY-05R26) — TN-05 Republican nominee?: Charlie Hatcher 99.0%, Patrick Smith 3.0%, Andy Ogles 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXTNPRIMARY-05D26) — TN-05 Democratic nominee?: Chaz Molder 99.0%, Rachel Hurley 12.0%, DeVante R Hill 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-tn-05)