Three hopefuls for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 5th Congressional District met voters on Wednesday night in Spring Hill, offering distinct plans to tackle the cost of living, trade policy and infrastructure challenges that affect families across Middle and West Tennessee.
Cost of living takes center stage
Both Republican Charlie Hatcher and Democrat Chaz Molder identified affordability as their top priority. Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner and dairy farmer, pointed to rising production expenses on his family farm since the COVID‑19 pandemic. He said a long‑term solution includes expanding American energy production and refining capacity to lower consumer prices.
Molder, mayor of Columbia, echoed the urgency, noting that many residents tell him their bills are climbing. “What I want to get to work immediately on is reducing the cost of living,” he told the audience. He added that eliminating tariffs would help keep money in consumers’ wallets.
Independent candidate Michel O’Leary emphasized his non‑partisan stance, saying his independence would let him vote based on district needs rather than party directives.
Tariffs spark clear policy splits
Tariffs emerged as a point of divergence. Hatcher defended their strategic use, arguing they protect American producers—especially in agriculture and steel—and can bring foreign trading partners to the negotiating table. He acknowledged that farmers often feel the first impact of trade measures.
Molder criticized current tariffs as mistimed and costly, stating, “They are wrong, and they are at the wrong time. It’s causing costs to go up at a time when people are hurting.” He warned that tariffs create uncertainty for businesses, which often pass added costs onto consumers.
O’Leary described tariffs as a tool meant to encourage manufacturers to bring production back to the United States, but he noted that consumers ultimately bear much of the expense.
Infrastructure and growth management
All three candidates addressed how the district can handle growing demands on roads, water and wastewater systems. Hatcher highlighted water concerns in Columbia, wastewater capacity in Spring Hill and traffic congestion across Middle Tennessee. He advocated prioritizing projects that serve the most residents and called for coordination among local, state and federal agencies.
Molder drew on his mayoral experience, explaining Columbia’s use of impact fees so that growth pays for growth, sparing current residents from additional burdens. He also cited state low‑interest loans and federal assistance as financing tools.
O’Leary focused on the rise of data centers, warning that new development could strain local water, electricity and utility rates. He urged a balance between economic investment and protecting existing residents from rising costs.
Constituent services and accessibility
Given the district’s size—stretching from Williamson and Maury counties through rural West Tennessee and into part of Memphis—each candidate stressed the importance of responsive constituent services. Hatcher suggested the district might need three field offices and regular meetings with stakeholders ranging from lawmakers to business leaders.
Molder pledged to make his office accessible, emphasizing travel throughout the district and maintaining office hours for residents to discuss their needs.
O’Leary said voters should judge him by his record in Congress and promised town‑hall meetings to gauge district sentiment on contentious issues.
Workforce development and health care
The forum also covered technical education, workforce development and health care. Hatcher supported federal funding for career‑technical training, especially for agriculture and forestry jobs. Molder championed community colleges and technical schools as pathways to good‑paying careers without a four‑year degree, and he backed restoring federal funds to these institutions.
O’Leary argued for strengthening pipelines into skilled trades, linking workforce shortages to immigration policy and proposing targeted temporary visas to fill gaps.
Molder raised rural health care, advocating for continued support of rural hospitals so that access does not depend on geography.
Looking ahead
Early voting runs through Thursday, Oct. 29, with Election Day set for Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in the 5th District now have a clear view of each candidate’s approach to affordability, trade, infrastructure and community services as they decide who will represent them in Congress.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
