Chaz
Molder
Columbia, TN Mayor and attorney Chaz Molder is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District.
- sources
- 22
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 8
Background
Chaz Molder is the Mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, first elected to that office in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, and an attorney at Mounger & Molder, PLLC, a position he has held since 2015. 24 Born and raised in Columbia, he returned to his hometown in 2009 to pursue careers in law and public service. 23 He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. 34
Molder launched his campaign for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District in September 2025 and won the Democratic nomination, setting up a general election matchup against Republican Charlie Hatcher, who upset incumbent Andy Ogles in the Republican primary. 71516 As of early October 2026, a campaign-commissioned poll showed Hatcher holding a narrow five-point lead. 12 Molder raised more than $1 million in his congressional bid as of mid-2026. 11
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Mayor of Columbia, Tennessee
- Website
- chazmolder.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsMolder and Hatcher discuss renewable energy and nuclear power positions
The two candidates discussed their positions on renewable energy and nuclear power ahead of the November general election, per Ground News reporting.
Molder and Hatcher discuss positions on renewable energy, nuclear power ahead of November election · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsMolder-Hatcher race listed as key midterm storyline to watch in Tennessee
Knox News named the Tennessee 5th District contest between Molder and Hatcher as one of seven key storylines to watch in the 2026 midterm elections.
What's at stake in November? Seven key storylines to watch in midterms · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsNashville crime rate drop cited alongside Molder closing gap in new poll coverage
Nashville Banner reported on falling Nashville crime rates in conjunction with coverage of Molder narrowing the gap against Hatcher in polling.
Nashville crime rate falls; Chaz Molder closes the gap - Nashville Banner · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7pollInternal Molder poll shows Hatcher leading 46–41%, a narrower gap than August
A campaign-commissioned Impact Research poll of 552 likely district voters showed Hatcher leading Molder 46% to 41%, with 11% undecided and a 4.2-point margin of error. An August internal poll had shown Hatcher ahead 48–40%. Among highly motivated voters, the race was tied at 44%. No confirmed debate date had been set as of this report.
New Molder campaign poll shows Hatcher with narrow 5-point lead · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsTennessee voter registration deadline passes ahead of November 3 election
October 5 was the deadline to register to vote in Tennessee for the November 3 general election. In-person early voting was scheduled to begin October 14.
Election 2026 is quickly approaching. Here's everything you need to ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5endorsementBeshear campaigns for Molder as Democrats eye midterm opportunities
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly campaigned for Molder in Nashville, with national Democrats viewing the race as a potential pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterms.
Beshear Campaigns for Molder as Dems Eye Midterms · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsFundraiser with Gov. Andy Beshear raises $120,000 for Molder campaign
A Nashville fundraiser featuring Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear brought in an additional $120,000 for Molder's campaign. Molder told attendees it was a 'single-digit race.'
Beshear Campaigns for Molder as Dems Eye Midterms · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsMolder and Hatcher face off in Tennessee's 5th District after Ogles' primary defeat
With incumbent Andy Ogles defeated in the August Republican primary by Charlie Hatcher, the general election matchup was set between Democrat Chaz Molder and Republican Charlie Hatcher in the redrawn 5th District.
With Ogles ousted, Hatcher and Molder face off in 5th district · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsElection 2026 overview: Molder and Hatcher among key 5th District candidates profiled
WSMV provided an overview of Tennessee's 2026 candidates, including Molder and Hatcher in the 5th District general election set for November 3.
Election 2026 is quickly approaching. Here's everything you need to ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsAnalysis: Democrats face uphill battle in Tennessee U.S. House races
Tennessee Lookout reported that Democrats, including Molder, face significant structural challenges in winning U.S. House seats in Tennessee.
Democrats face uphill battle in winning any Tennessee U.S. House race · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsMolder backs temporary moratorium on data-center approvals in Memphis and Columbia
Molder supported a temporary moratorium on data-center approvals, citing concerns about effects on utility bills, air quality, infrastructure, and neighborhoods. The campaign later aired TV and radio ads highlighting his opposition to new data centers.
Where the Candidates Stand: Chaz Molder on Climate & ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16endorsementMolder endorsed by Blue Dog Democrats; Hatcher agrees to debate
Molder announced the endorsement of the Blue Dog Democrats coalition, along with endorsements from former U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen and Jim Cooper and support from the DCCC. Hatcher said he would debate Molder; Molder proposed debates in Columbia, Memphis, and Martin. No date or location was confirmed as of Oct. 7.
Molder endorsed by Blue Dog Democrats as Hatcher agrees to debate · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 1, 2025newsMolder launches congressional campaign, raising over $2.5M since September 2025
Chaz Molder, Democratic mayor of Columbia, TN, began his campaign for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. By early October 2026 his campaign had raised more than $2.5 million since September 2025.
Beshear Campaigns for Molder as Dems Eye Midterms · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- John Tanner, former U.S. representative from Tennessee officialEndorsement reported in a local radio news segment; no endorsement date given. frontporchradiotn.com
- Steve Cohen, U.S. representative from Tennessee officialEndorsement reported by the Tennessean and The Hill; specific date not established in the sources. tennessean.com
- Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) / Red to Blue program organizationThe Hill reports the DCCC endorsed Molder; NOTUS says the committee backed him as part of its Red to Blue program. Specific date not established in the sources. thehill.com
- Jim Cooper, former U.S. representative from Tennessee officialEndorsement reported by the Tennessean and The Hill; specific date not established in the sources. tennessean.com
- Blue Dog PAC organizationThe PAC announced its endorsement of Molder on September 16, 2026, per the PAC's own news page. bluedogdems.com · Sep 16, 2026
- DMFI PAC Majority Project organizationThe organization's own press release lists Molder among its general-election endorsements, dated September 14, 2026. dmfipac.org · Sep 14, 2026
- Phil Bredesen, former Tennessee governor officialBredesen said Molder would be 'focused on results, not theatrics.' Announced by the Molder campaign on July 24, 2026. tennessean.com · Jul 24, 2026
- Future Forum PAC organizationNOTUS reported the youth-focused Democratic PAC endorsed Molder on April 7, 2026. notus.org · Apr 7, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.60M
- Spent
- $1.12M
- Cash on hand
- $1.48M
As of Jul 17, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN05397(opens in a new tab)
Sources 22
- [1] Molder and Hatcher discuss positions on renewable energy, nuclear power ahead of November election(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] What's at stake in November? Seven key storylines to watch in midterms(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Nashville crime rate falls; Chaz Molder closes the gap - Nashville Banner(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] New Molder campaign poll shows Hatcher with narrow 5-point lead(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Beshear Campaigns for Molder as Dems Eye Midterms(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Chaz Molder knows his odds in Tennessee. He still thinks ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] With Ogles ousted, Hatcher and Molder face off in 5th district(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Election 2026 is quickly approaching. Here's everything you need to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [9] Democrats face uphill battle in winning any Tennessee U.S. House race(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [10] Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 9-18-26(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [11] Where the Candidates Stand: Chaz Molder on Climate & ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [12] Molder endorsed by Blue Dog Democrats as Hatcher agrees to debate(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [13] News - Blue Dog PAC(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [14] DMFI PAC Majority Project Endorses Five Democrats for U.S. House ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [15] Molder and Hatcher discuss positions on renewable energy, nuclear power ahead of November election(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [16] Chaz Molder launches first ad in reshaped TN 5th District(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [17] US House Candidate Chaz Molder | Season 17 | Episode 9(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2026
- [18] BTH: U.S. House District 5 Democratic candidate Chaz Molder discusses redistricting and key issues(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
- [19] Columbia mayor wins Democratic primary for Ogles seat in ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
- [20] Former Gov. Phil Bredesen endorses Chaz Molder for Congress in TN-5(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [21] Issues - Chaz Molder for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 19, 2026
- [22] Youth-Focused Democratic PAC Throws Its Weight Behind Two Upstart Candidates(opens in a new tab) Apr 7, 2026