Tennesseans will not see a debate between any of the state’s Democratic and Republican candidates for Congress. GOP District 5 nominee Charlie Hatcher told reporters that he won’t debate his Democratic opponent after all.
The dairy farmer and former Tennessee agriculture commissioner had initially told the Williamson Scene that he was “committed to debating.” Now, he said he won’t go head-to-head with his Democratic opponent, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder.
“We got 13 days left, and every minute’s accounted for,” Hatcher said.
In a red state like Tennessee, the Republican strategy has been to avoid debates. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has refused to debate in the primary and general elections for Tennessee governor.
Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District is shaping up to be a much more competitive race. This election will be the first test of the new District 5 map since state lawmakers redrew the boundaries at the behest of President Donald Trump in May.
While the Cook Political Report still rates the district as “Solidly Republican,” an energized Democratic base and an unpopular war in Iran could make for tighter results than expected.
Hatcher has done something no other Republican running for Congress has done — share the stage with his Democratic opponent. He told reporters he’s “satisfied” with candidate forums. Unlike a debate, he and Molder cannot address each other or respond to the other’s answers.
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsTennessee District 5 Democratic candidate Chaz Molder (left), independent candidate Micheál O’Leary (middle) and GOP candidate Charlie Hatcher participate in a candidate forum in Spring Hill, Tenn. on Oct. 21, 2026.
At their last candidate forum in Spring Hill Wednesday night, the pair disagreed on the economic success of the Trump administration’s tariffs.
“Tennessee soybean farmers lost over $110 million last year as a result of bad trade and tariff policies … I was speaking to a local CEO of a company that employs about 300 people. He told me that he has to create a separate profit and loss statement that depends on whether the tariffs stick,” Molder said. “That’s a problem. That creates uncertainty.”
Marianna Bacallao WPLN NewsDemocratic Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder addresses the crowd at a Spring Hill candidate forum on Oct. 21, 2026.
Hatcher said tariffs can help prioritize American production when they’re placed on the right industry, like dairy farming.
“Tariffs are a tool. They can be used effectively, sometimes badly. And the first ones that take the brunt of it are farmers. But with the use of tariffs, (Trump) brought some of these countries to the table that were taking advantage of us and made very effective trade deals,” Hatcher said.
When asked about the impact of tariffs on soybean farmers, Hatcher told WPLN News that he knows what soybean farmers want.
“They want fair-balance trade, and they want international trade,” Hatcher said. “They want a farm bill. We can’t even get a farm bill passed.”
Hatcher previously made an appearance at President Donald Trump’s rally in Clarksville on Oct. 10, where he stressed patience with the economy.
“I know we are facing fierce economic headwinds. Just give it a little time. We’ll get that taken care of,” Hatcher said. He shared a booth that day with current District 5 Congressman Andy Ogles, who Hatcher defeated in the August primaries.
Both Hatcher and Molder criticized Ogles’ lack of presence in the district and pledged to be more accessible to constituents.
Early voting runs through Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3.
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