Politics
TN-5 hopefuls split on tariffs and energy as voters weigh rising costs
At a Spring Hill forum, Republican Charlie Hatcher, Democrat Chaz Molder and independent Micheal O’Leary offered sharply different views on tariffs, fuel costs and energy supply. Their comments came as early voting continued ahead of the Nov. 3 election for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Candidates for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District put the cost of living at the center of a Spring Hill forum Wednesday, debating whether tariffs, the war in Iran and energy policy are driving up expenses for households and businesses.
The candidates were Republican Charlie Hatcher, a former Tennessee agriculture commissioner; Democrat Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia; and independent Micheal O’Leary, the former mayor of Culver City, California. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles.
With early voting underway and Election Day less than two weeks away, the candidates each made affordability a priority but differed on the causes and remedies.
Hatcher said costs for inputs at his family dairy had risen by 50% to 300% since the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed to fuel and production expenses and argued that ending the war in Iran could provide a quick way to reduce costs, while expanding U.S. energy production would be a longer-term solution.
He said the country needs more refineries to increase diesel supplies, which he said affect farmers, and voiced support for energy sources that make sense without heavy federal subsidies. Hatcher also said Tennessee is making progress on nuclear energy and raised concerns about whether the district will have enough electricity in the future.
Molder said he hears regularly from people struggling to keep up with rising expenses. He called for ending tariffs, arguing they add costs for consumers, and said Congress should exercise its constitutional authority over tariffs. He also linked higher gasoline and diesel prices to the war in Iran, saying fuel costs hurt farmers and small businesses.
O’Leary described tariffs as a tool intended to encourage manufacturers to bring production back to the United States, but said consumers ultimately bear much of the cost when import duties are imposed. He said tariffs have been used poorly.
The candidates’ competing arguments put household budgets, farm operating costs and energy supply in focus as voters prepare to choose the district’s representative. Tennessee’s Nov. 3 election also includes statewide races and other contests. Early voting details, including locations and hours, are available through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s GoVoteTN website.