2026 Elections · Tennessee

Tennessee's 5th Congressional District Candidates 2026

See every declared 2026 U.S. House candidate running in this Tennessee congressional district, with FEC campaign finance and where they stand on the issues.

Source:FECUpdated Oct 19, 2026Report a correction

Who is running in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District in 2026?

Chaz Molder (Democratic), Charlie Hatcher (Republican) and Micheál O'Leary (Independent).

  • Chaz MolderDemocratic✓ Verified
    $3.4M raised
    • Official FEC
    • Positions sourced
  • Charlie HatcherRepublican✓ Verified
    $1.7M raised
    • Official FEC
    • Positions sourced
  • Micheál O'LearyIndependent✓ Verified

Where they stand

Sources under every entry. Sentences are AI-written from the linked source.

Where they differ: Chaz Molder supports lowering costs for Tennessee families by advocating for policies that reduce expenses in healthcare, housing, and groceries, and strengthening labor protections 1. He also supports restoring trust in government by advocating for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress to prioritize constituents over personal gain 4. Charlie Hatcher supports fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs to lower the cost of living and grow wages 2. He wants to make agriculture a central pillar of his work in Congress, citing the rate at which Tennessee is losing farmland 3. Hatcher opposes wasteful federal spending, demands accountability, and supports reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans 5.
AI-written comparison of the sourced entries below. Generated Oct 18, 2026.

Where the candidates stand, by issue
IssueChaz MolderDemocraticCharlie HatcherRepublicanMicheál O'LearyIndependent
Economy & Jobs

Molder supports lowering costs for Tennessee families by advocating for policies that reduce expenses in healthcare, housing, and groceries, and strengthening labor protections.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 16, 2026AI-written

Hatcher supports fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs to lower the cost of living and grow wages.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

Hatcher wants to make agriculture a central pillar of his work in Congress, citing the rate at which Tennessee is losing farmland.

ReportedSource ↗Verified Oct 8, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Where they differ on Economy & Jobs: Chaz Molder supports lowering costs for Tennessee families by advocating for policies that reduce expenses in healthcare, housing, and groceries, and strengthening labor protections 1. Charlie Hatcher supports fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs to lower the cost of living and grow wages 2. He also wants to make agriculture a central pillar of his work in Congress, citing the rate at which Tennessee is losing farmland 3.
Healthcare

Molder supports expanding access to affordable healthcare, lowering healthcare costs, and ensuring rural hospitals receive support to stay open and serve communities.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 16, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Immigration

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Hatcher supports enforcing immigration laws, securing the border with resources, and maintaining a legal immigration system that welcomes rule followers while emphasizing law and border security.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

Hatcher supports expanding legal pathways for farm labor, such as improving the H-2A agricultural worker visa program, rather than relying only on enforcement.

ReportedSource ↗Verified Oct 8, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Public Safety & Crime

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Hatcher supports law enforcement, first responders, fighting fentanyl and illegal drugs, and ensuring local agencies have tools to keep communities safe.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Abortion

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Hatcher supports protecting the sanctity of human life and stands for traditional values supporting life.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Taxes & Government Spending

Molder supports restoring trust in government by advocating for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress to prioritize constituents over personal gain.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 16, 2026AI-written

Hatcher opposes wasteful federal spending, demands accountability, and supports reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Where they differ on Taxes & Government Spending: Chaz Molder supports restoring trust in government by advocating for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress to prioritize constituents over personal gain 1. Charlie Hatcher opposes wasteful federal spending, demands accountability, and supports reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans 2.
Energy & Environment

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Hatcher supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy including natural gas, nuclear, and renewables, fighting regulations that delay business, and expanding domestic energy production for economic independence.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Foreign Policy & Defense

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Hatcher opposes foreign adversaries buying American farmland, especially near sensitive sites, and supports stronger transparency and protections for agricultural land.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 18, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Common questions

When is the election?

The general election is on November 3, 2026.

How do the candidates differ on Economy & Jobs?

Chaz Molder supports lowering costs for Tennessee families by advocating for policies that reduce expenses in healthcare, housing, and groceries, and strengthening labor protections. Charlie Hatcher supports fighting inflationary federal spending, unnecessary regulations, and policies that raise energy and business costs to lower the cost of living and grow wages. He also wants to make agriculture a central pillar of his work in Congress, citing the rate at which Tennessee is losing farmland.

How do the candidates differ on Taxes & Government Spending?

Chaz Molder supports restoring trust in government by advocating for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress to prioritize constituents over personal gain. Charlie Hatcher opposes wasteful federal spending, demands accountability, and supports reducing the national debt without breaking promises to seniors and veterans.