By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
When former state agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher knocked incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles out of another term by defeating him in the August Republican primary, he did so with a little help — to be exact, his campaign benefited from a $2 million cash infusion from renewable energy investors, displeased with Ogles’ opposition to the industry.
So where does Hatcher, the GOP nominee for the 5th Congressional District, stand on renewable energy? He has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, who is decidedly not supportive of the industry, eliminating subsidies for electric vehicles and promoting a resurgence of coal use.
But for that matter where does Democratic nominee, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, stand?
As Cassandra Stephenson reports, most of Tennessee’s solar farms are in West Tennessee with several in the 5th District, so she talked to the contenders about federal support for green energy and Tennessee’s nuclear future.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Charlie Hatcher, left, and Chaz Molder, right, are campaigning to serve Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. (Photos: John Partipilo)
by Cassandra Stephenson
Congressional District 5 candidates Charlie Hatcher, a Republican farmer and former Tennessee agriculture commissioner, and Chaz Molder, the Democratic mayor of Columbia, share pride in Tennessee’s nuclear energy work and see renewable energy sources as tools for powering the state’s future but take different approaches.
NEWS AND NOTES
How the US House could overturn the midterm election results | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks | States Newsroom and Stateline
Vance blasts Dem ‘crazies’ in convention speech seen as possible 2028 audition | Shauneen Miranda, States Newsroom
Republicans close out GOP midterm convention vowing to keep control of Congress | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Tennessee Tourism Commissioner Mark Ezell, pictured at a Sept. 2025 state tourism conference, won a national award for his efforts. (Photo: Office of Gov. Bill Lee)
by Anne Braly for Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Commissioner Mark Ezell was recently named U.S. Travel Association’s Director of the Year, an honor that he regards as recognition for “Tennessee’s leadership in tourism and what we’ve accomplished together.”
COMMENTARY
Memphis, pictured above, faces a crisis of maturity from Black leaders, writes Rev. Earle Fisher. (Photo: Getty Images)
by Rev. Earle Fisher
The most recent example of the leadership vacuum came in Tuesday’s appointment of a Democratic nominee for the state House District 84, in which Black Memphis leadership seemed caught flatfooted despite knowing for months there was likely to be a vacancy.
ICYMI
Hatcher says he’s amenable to Molder’s challenge to debate before 5th District election | Cassandra Stephenson
Stockard on the Stump: One man picks state rep in Memphis | Sam Stockard
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