Each cell paraphrases what the candidate says they will do, from their own campaign materials, questionnaires, or interviews. Rows are shared issue categories; only categories at least one candidate addressed are shown.
Issue
Charlie Hatcher Republican
Chaz Molder Democratic
Economy & jobs
No stated position
Stand up for workers' right to organize and strengthen labor protections.[1][2]
Taxes & spending
Cut wasteful federal spending and fraud and work toward reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans.[3]
No stated position
Cost of living & housing
Lower the cost of living by fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs.[3]
Lower everyday costs such as health care, housing, and groceries for families, farmers, and seniors.[1][2]
Health care
No stated position
Lower health care costs, support rural hospitals so they stay open, expand insurance coverage, and invest in preventive care.[1][2]
Immigration
Enforce immigration laws, give Border Patrol more personnel, technology, and resources, and keep a legal immigration system for those who follow the rules.[3]
No stated position
Infrastructure & energy
An all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy (natural gas, nuclear, renewables), faster permitting, and federal help for roads, bridges, water systems, and broadband.[3]
No stated position
Firearms
Defend the Second Amendment and oppose new federal restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.[3]
Protect American farmers and the food supply through stronger agricultural biosecurity, and bar foreign adversaries from buying American farmland, especially near sensitive sites.[3]
No stated position
Military & veterans
Demand better accountability and service from the VA and support law enforcement and first responders.[3]
No stated position
No published platform found (checked October 13, 2026) for: James A. Johnson, Micheál (Me-Haul) O'Leary.
Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, 2019–2025.[4]
Served as Tennessee State Veterinarian before becoming agriculture commissioner; joined the state agriculture department in 2009.[4][5]
Livestock veterinarian and dairy farmer who operates Hatcher Family Dairy in College Grove.[4][6]
Defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the Aug. 6, 2026 Republican primary, 53.3% to 46.7%. This is his first campaign for office.[2][6]
His College Grove home was drawn out of the 5th District in the May 2026 redistricting; he continued his campaign under state rules that suspended candidate residency requirements.[7][8]
Why they're running
He says he is running to bring real-world experience as a farmer, veterinarian, business owner, and agriculture commissioner to Washington, and to make sure Washington remembers the people it is supposed to serve. He says the President is the most impactful president of our lifetime but needs help from someone with a farmer's work-hard mentality, and that he wants to be a congressman who answers the phone, shows up, and listens.[3][9][10]
Platform
Taxes & spending
Cut wasteful federal spending and fraud and work toward reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans.[3]
Cost of living & housing
Lower the cost of living by fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs.[3]
Immigration
Enforce immigration laws, give Border Patrol more personnel, technology, and resources, and keep a legal immigration system for those who follow the rules.[3]
Infrastructure & energy
An all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy (natural gas, nuclear, renewables), faster permitting, and federal help for roads, bridges, water systems, and broadband.[3]
Firearms
Defend the Second Amendment and oppose new federal restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.[3]
Protect American farmers and the food supply through stronger agricultural biosecurity, and bar foreign adversaries from buying American farmland, especially near sensitive sites.[3]
Military & veterans
Demand better accountability and service from the VA and support law enforcement and first responders.[3]
Arguments
Arguments for
He would work closely with the current administration on its policy initiatives, while saying he will vote the way he believes best represents the district even when that differs from the White House.[5][10][11]
People who have known him for decades vouch for his values and love of country, and say he raises the standard of what Tennessee expects.[5][12]
He promises hands-on constituent service: meeting voters where they are, returning calls, and continuing to visit communities across the district once in office.[3][11][13]
As a working farmer, veterinarian, former State Veterinarian, and agriculture commissioner, he understands threats to the nation's food supply and how federal decisions affect farmers and small businesses.[3][9][14]
Arguments against
He supports the same national policies that got Washington into its current problems, some of which have raised the cost of living; electing him would continue them rather than fix them.[7]
Mayor of Columbia since 2018; re-elected in 2022.[15][16]
Attorney; graduate of the University of Tennessee (2005) and the University of Memphis law school (2009).[2]
Won the Aug. 6, 2026 Democratic primary with about 41% of the vote in a five-candidate field.[2]
His Columbia home was drawn out of the 5th District in the May 2026 redistricting; he continued his campaign under state rules that suspended candidate residency requirements.[8]
Why they're running
He says he is running to combat corruption and rising costs in Washington, and that the failed policies behind the problems there remain no matter who his opponent is. He says his loyalty will be to the people of the 5th District rather than to any one person, and that he wants a representative who listens, responds, and acts on local concerns.[1][7][16]
Platform
Economy & jobs
Stand up for workers' right to organize and strengthen labor protections.[1][2]
Cost of living & housing
Lower everyday costs such as health care, housing, and groceries for families, farmers, and seniors.[1][2]
Health care
Lower health care costs, support rural hospitals so they stay open, expand insurance coverage, and invest in preventive care.[1][2]
As mayor he has made progress across party lines by focusing on practical local issues rather than national fights.[16]
His loyalty would be to the people of the district rather than to any single figure in Washington; he says he would be neither "an enemy or employee" of the President.[7]
He would restore trust in Congress by pushing to ban members from trading stocks so lawmakers put constituents ahead of personal gain.[1][2]
He proposed three debates in different regions of the district so residents need not drive hours to hear both nominees, saying the candidates should do the traveling.[13]
As mayor he passed balanced budgets every year with no property tax increases while investing in education, public safety, and infrastructure.[7][15]
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
James A. JohnsonIndependent
Memphis
Why they're running
No stated reason found (checked October 13, 2026).
Platform
No published platform found (checked October 13, 2026).
Arguments
Arguments for
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Micheál (Me-Haul) O'LearyIndependent
Nashville
Why they're running
No stated reason found (checked October 13, 2026).
Platform
No published platform found (checked October 13, 2026).
Arguments
Arguments for
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Sources (16)
Listed in numeric order. Numbers match the markers in the text above.