Micheál
(Me-Haul) O'Leary
Independent candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District; Irish-born pub owner and former Culver City, CA mayor
- sources
- 3
- positions
- 4
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Micheál (Me-Haul) O'Leary is an independent candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he studied agricultural sciences at University College Dublin (1983–87) and also attended Gonzaga College. [3, 10]
O'Leary built a career in the hospitality industry, owning Joxer Daly's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Culver City, California, from 1999 to 2016, before relocating to Nashville, where he now owns The Lost Paddy Irish Pub in South Nashville. [1, 10]
He served as a Culver City, California, city councilmember from 2008 to 2016, including terms as mayor in 2011–12 and 2015–16. After his time in California, he moved to Tennessee and does not currently hold elected office. [3, 10]
O'Leary initially sought the Republican ballot line for TN-05 but was not placed on it, and is running as an independent. His FEC campaign committee is registered as "Micheal O'Leary for Congress TN05" with an Independent party designation. He faces Democrat Charlie Hatcher and Republican Chaz Molder in the general election, after incumbent Andy Ogles was defeated in the Republican primary. [1, 5, 8]
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Owner, The Lost Paddy Irish Pub (South Nashville)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 5newsTennessee voter-registration deadline passed; O'Leary listed as independent candidate in District 5
WSMV reported on the October 5 voter-registration deadline for the November 3 general election and listed O'Leary as an independent candidate in Tennessee's 5th District. Early voting was set for October 14–29.
Some Tennessee independent candidates share their visions · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsO'Leary described as 'Republican-leaning independent' campaigning with RV across TN-5
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Micheál O'Leary is running as an independent in Tennessee's 5th District and plans to drive a campaign-wrapped RV around the district, including Erin. He stated: 'The usual jumping from left to right or right to left is not working, and people are feeling the frustration,' and criticized how members of Congress are directed to vote.
With Ogles out of the way, Hatcher and Molder face off in Tennessee’s 5th District | Chattanooga Times Free Press · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3debateO'Leary excluded from Hatcher-Molder debate agreement
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Republican Charlie Hatcher and Democrat Chaz Molder agreed to debate, but did not report that O'Leary would participate or specify a debate date.
With Ogles out of the way, Hatcher and Molder face off in Tennessee’s 5th District | Chattanooga Times Free Press · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6TN05462(opens in a new tab)
Sources 3
- [1] With Ogles out of the way, Hatcher and Molder face off in Tennessee’s 5th District | Chattanooga Times Free Press(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [2] Some Tennessee independent candidates share their visions(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [3] VOTE411 Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026