Charlie Hatcher Biography
Charlie Hatcher is an American veterinarian, farmer, and Republican politician from Tennessee. He gained attention after winning the 2026 Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. Hatcher became a tenth-generation American farmer.
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His family has farmed in the College Grove area since 1819. Therefore, agriculture shaped his personal life and professional career. Hatcher earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Middle Tennessee State University in 1980. He later earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in 1984.
After completing his education, Hatcher spent more than two decades working as a livestock veterinarian. In 1993, he founded Rock-N-Country Veterinary Services in College Grove. His practice focused on dairy and beef cattle. Meanwhile, Hatcher remained active in his family’s agricultural businesses.
His family operates Hatcher Family Dairy, which began bottling milk in 2007. The business serves customers across Middle Tennessee. In January 2019, Governor Bill Lee appointed Hatcher as Tennessee’s 38th Commissioner of Agriculture. He served in that position until retiring in October 2025.
Before becoming commissioner, he spent about ten years as Tennessee’s state veterinarian. During his tenure, Hatcher worked on agriculture, rural communities, animal health, forestry, and food safety. His background combined veterinary medicine with practical farming experience.
However, Hatcher returned to politics in 2026. He challenged Republican Congressman Andy Ogles in Tennessee’s redrawn 5th Congressional District. On August 6, 2026, Hatcher defeated Ogles in the Republican primary. The victory positioned Hatcher for the November 3 general election against Democratic nominee Chaz Molder.
The race represents his next step in public service. Charlie Hatcher remains associated with Tennessee agriculture. His biography reflects decades of work in farming, veterinary medicine, government, and Republican politics.
Charlie Hatcher Age: How Old Is Charlie Hatcher?
Charlie Hatcher is 68 years old in 2026. He was born in June 1958 in Tennessee. Hatcher is an American veterinarian, farmer, and Republican politician. He earned his veterinary degree in 1984 and later served as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner. Moreover, Hatcher gained attention in 2026 after winning the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. He now prepares for the November 2026 general election.
Charlie Hatcher Height: How Tall Is Charlie Hatcher?
Charlie Hatcher’s height remains undisclosed. Hatcher has built his public profile through veterinary medicine, farming, and government service. He also served as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner before entering the 2026 congressional race. Meanwhile, his recent Republican primary victory increased public interest in his personal background, including details such as his height.
Charlie Hatcher Wife
Charlie Hatcher is married to Sharon Hatcher. The couple returned to Tennessee in 1992 to help revive the family dairy operation. Together, they became involved in the growth of Hatcher Family Dairy in College Grove. Sharon has largely maintained a private profile compared with her husband. Meanwhile, Charlie built a public career through veterinary medicine, farming, and government service. He later served as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner from 2019 to 2025. In 2026, Hatcher entered congressional politics and won the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th District.
Charlie Hatcher Children
Charlie Hatcher has two children, Jennifer Hatcher and Charles Hatcher. Both followed the family’s agricultural tradition and became involved in its businesses. Jennifer became a veterinarian and later managed the family’s veterinary practice. Meanwhile, Charles pursued agribusiness and became involved with Hatcher Family Dairy. Both children live on the family farm with their families. Therefore, Charlie Hatcher’s children continue the family’s long-standing connection to farming and veterinary medicine.
Charlie Hatcher Education
Charlie Hatcher earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in 1984. His education prepared him for a long career in animal health and livestock medicine. After graduation, Hatcher practiced veterinary medicine in Kentucky for about a decade. He then returned to Tennessee and established a mixed-animal veterinary practice. Moreover, his veterinary training supported his later work as Tennessee State Veterinarian. In 2019, he became Tennessee’s Agriculture Commissioner, bringing extensive agricultural experience to state government.
Charlie Hatcher Political Party
Charlie Hatcher is a Republican. He ran as a Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in 2026. Before entering Congress, Hatcher served as Tennessee’s Agriculture Commissioner under Governor Bill Lee. He also built a career in veterinary medicine and farming. Moreover, Hatcher won the 2026 Republican primary, defeating incumbent Congressman Andy Ogles. Following his primary victory, Hatcher became the Republican nominee for the November general election. His political profile centers strongly on agriculture, rural communities, and Tennessee’s farming industry.
Charlie Hatcher Agriculture Commissioner Career
Charlie Hatcher served as Tennessee’s 38th Agriculture Commissioner from January 2019 until October 2025. Governor Bill Lee appointed him to lead the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. During his tenure, Hatcher focused on rural development, agriculture, food security, and natural resource conservation. His department also made major investments supporting Tennessee’s farming families and rural businesses. Additionally, Hatcher promoted opportunities for young people through FFA, 4-H, and education partnerships. He also supported programs designed to strengthen agricultural supply chains and create rural jobs.
In 2025, his department expanded support for agricultural and forestry businesses through programs such as AgTrack. Hatcher also addressed agricultural recovery after Tropical Storm Helene. He visited affected communities and assessed farmers’ recovery needs. Before becoming commissioner, Hatcher served as Tennessee’s State Veterinarian for ten years. In September 2025, he announced his retirement after nearly seven years as commissioner. His departure ended more than 21 years of Tennessee state service.
Charlie Hatcher Wins Tennessee GOP Primary: 2026 Election Results
Charlie Hatcher won the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District on August 6, 2026. The Tennessee agriculture commissioner defeated incumbent Andy Ogles in a closely watched Republican race. Hatcher’s victory marked a significant upset because Ogles had received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. However, Hatcher gained support from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and other prominent Republicans.
As a result, he secured the Republican nomination and will advance to the November 3, 2026, general election. Hatcher will face Democratic nominee Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s 5th District strongly favors Republicans, giving Hatcher a favorable position heading into November. However, Hatcher has not yet won the general election. His primary victory only secured the GOP nomination and placed him on the ballot for the upcoming congressional election.
Charlie Hatcher Congress Campaign: 2026 Tennessee House Election
Charlie Hatcher’s congressional campaign began in 2025 as he sought Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District seat. The Republican candidate entered the race after serving as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner. Hatcher highlighted his farming background and government experience throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, he focused on lowering living costs, supporting farmers, and improving infrastructure. His campaign also gained endorsements from Governor Bill Lee and other prominent Republicans. Furthermore, Hatcher raised more than $694,000 through June 2026, according to Federal Election Commission records. On August 6, Hatcher defeated incumbent Andy Ogles in the Republican primary. Therefore, he will represent the GOP against Democratic nominee Chaz Molder on November 3, 2026.
Charlie Hatcher Policies
Charlie Hatcher’s policies center on lowering costs, improving infrastructure, and supporting Tennessee agriculture. During his 2026 congressional campaign, Hatcher identified cost of living and production as major concerns. He said families, farmers, and small businesses face rising expenses. Therefore, he supports efforts to reduce inflation and lower energy costs. Hatcher also wants stronger infrastructure investment, including reliable energy, clean water, wastewater systems, and safer roads. Additionally, his farming background shapes his approach to agricultural issues and rural communities. Hatcher campaigns as a conservative Republican and emphasizes practical leadership. Following his primary victory, these priorities will shape his general election campaign against Democratic nominee Chaz Molder.
Charlie Hatcher Chocolate Milk: The Story Behind Brownie’s Best
Charlie Hatcher is closely connected to Tennessee’s famous Brownie’s Best chocolate milk. The product comes from Hatcher Family Dairy in College Grove, Tennessee. Charlie and his family began bottling their own milk in 2007. They created the chocolate milk to help preserve their family dairy business. Interestingly, Brownie’s Best takes its name from Brownie, a beloved Brown Swiss cow from the farm. The dairy now produces several milk varieties and other farm products. Furthermore, Hatcher Family Dairy uses pasture-based farming and modern milking technology. Today, the family continues its long agricultural tradition while serving customers across Middle Tennessee. The dairy also remains an important part of Charlie Hatcher’s farming background.
Charlie Hatcher Net Worth
Charlie Hatcher’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed as of August 2026. Hatcher built his career through agriculture and public service in Tennessee. He previously served as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner and operates a farming business. Federal Election Commission records show Hatcher’s congressional campaign raised $694,478.50 through June 30, 2026. Those funds belong to his campaign committee rather than Hatcher personally. Therefore, readers should distinguish campaign finances from personal wealth. Hatcher recently defeated Andy Ogles in Tennessee’s Republican primary. He will now face Democrat Chaz Molder in November’s general election.
