NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Representative Andy Ogles is working to secure his position in Tennessee as he faces a challenge from Democratic candidate Maryam Abolfazli. This race is further complicated by an ongoing FBI investigation concerning the campaign finances of the first-term Republican.
Ogles, affiliated with the conservative Freedom Caucus, is contending against Abolfazli in the 5th District, which leans Republican but includes parts of more liberal Nashville alongside five conservative-leaning counties. In a notable incident in August, Ogles announced on social media that the FBI had seized his cellphone as part of their inquiry into inconsistencies within his 2022 campaign finance disclosures. This took place shortly after a successful primary campaign, where he won by 12 points against a well-funded opponent, aided by the endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Court documents indicate that federal agents also possess a warrant to examine Ogles’ personal email account, though they have not yet conducted a search. Ogles asserts that he is fully cooperating with the investigation and believes any discrepancies will be attributed to “honest mistakes.”
Initially, Ogles reported giving a $320,000 loan to his campaign committee during the 2022 elections. However, he revised these figures in May to reflect a true loan amount of $20,000, explaining to media outlets that the larger figure was originally intended as a pledge that had been mistakenly reported on campaign documents.
In January, Ogles faced a complaint from the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center, which raised ethical concerns surrounding his personal and political finances. The organization drew comparisons between Ogles and expelled Republican Representative George Santos from New York due to similar issues.
Ogles secured his congressional seat by more than 13 points in the 2022 election cycle after Republicans redistricted Tennessee’s congressional representation, significantly diluting the Democratic influence in Nashville. This strategic redrawing led to the forced retirement of Nashville’s Democratic congressman at the time, Jim Cooper. The outcome transformed Tennessee’s congressional delegation, yielding eight Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents Memphis.
In another Nashville district, Republican Representative Mark Green is facing off against former city mayor Megan Barry, a Democrat. Green, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, had previously announced he would not seek re-election but later reversed his decision. Barry, who resigned as mayor amid scandal in 2018, is making a comeback as a prominent Democratic figure.
Ogles gained attention earlier in 2023 when he was one of the Republican members who resisted Kevin McCarthy’s long-noted candidature for Speaker, voting against him multiple times before ultimately shifting his support. When McCarthy was subsequently removed from the position that October, Ogles voted against the removal, which raised eyebrows.
Further, Ogles later acknowledged embellishments regarding his educational background when questions were raised concerning his claim of holding an international relations degree.
His opponent, Abolfazli, is a Nashville native who founded the nonprofit organization Rise and Shine TN, which advocates for gun control reforms following a tragic shooting at a Nashville elementary school in March 2023, resulting in the deaths of three children and three adults.
Since his election, Ogles has been an outspoken critic of President Joe Biden’s administration. He previously filed articles of impeachment against both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Following Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, he initiated new articles for Harris as she solidified her position as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.
Ogles previously served as mayor of Maury County, located south of Nashville, and has also held the position of state director for Americans for Prosperity, a group that has been active in funding his re-election efforts.