U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) is reportedly interested in becoming chair of the House Freedom Caucus if the group’s current chair, Congressman Bob Good (R-VA-05), steps down from his post.
Good lost his primary race last month to Virginia State Senator John McGuire (R-District 10), who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
This week, Good filed a petition for a recount of the primary race as the state board of elections declared McGuire the winner over Good in the race by a margin of 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 ballots cast, which is just six-tenths of a percentage point
Good has reportedly told members of the House Freedom Caucus that he plans to step down as chair if he loses the recount of the primary race; however, according to a report by Punchbowl News, he has not made the announcement publicly.
“Hopefully, things will still go my way and you can ask me if it doesn’t,” Good told the outlet.
In the case of Good’s departure as chair of the Caucus, Punchbowl News further reported that Tennessee’s Ogles has been floated as a top name to succeed the Virginia congressman in the role.
“Members of the [House Freedom Caucus] have urged Ogles to run, according to a source familiar. Ogles has confirmed he would launch a bid to succeed Good,” the outlet said.
Ogles has served as the U.S. representative for the Volunteer State’s 5th Congressional District since January 2023. He boasts a 100 percent rating on the Heritage Action Scorecard, the nation’s leading conservative scorecard.
The freshman congressman faces a primary challenger, Metro Nashville Council Member Courtney Johnston, in the August 1 Republican primary.
Texas Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21) has also been recognized as a caucus member reportedly favored to succeed Good in the role as chair.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Andy Ogles” by Andy Ogles.
