Tennessee election updates: Johnson wins Democratic Senate race, Ogles wins in the 5th

Voters across Tennessee on Thursday had their say in the Republican and Democratic primaries for state and federal office.

In the race for the U.S. Senate, Democrat Gloria Johnson won her party's nomination and will take on Republican incumbent U.S. Marsha Blackburn in the November election.

Meanwhile, in the closely watched Republican primary for the 5th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles held on to defeat Metro Council member Courtney Johnston.

In state legislative races, incumbent state Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, chair of the Senate Education Committee, lost his Republican primary to Bobby Harshbarger, in what could be the biggest upset of the evening.

And in an open state House seat in Nashville, Republican Chad Bobo and Democrat Shaundelle Brooks emerged victorious Thursday from competitive primaries. Brooks' profile has grown in recent years as a grassroots gun reform advocate following the shooting death of her son, Akilah, in the 2018 Waffle House mass shooting.

Here are the latest updates.

• Gloria Johnson wins Democratic primary, will face incumbent Marsha Blackburn in November
• Andy Ogles defeats Courtney Johnston in GOP race for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District
• Tennessee Senate election: Voucher sponsor falls and other results
• Tennessee election results: See who won state House primary races
• Nashville school board election: Robert Taylor takes early lead in District 1 race

Live election results: Click here for live results from across Tennessee

More than 68,000 turn out in Davidson County

The final voter turnout in Davidson County was at 68,089, according to Election Administrator Jeff Roberts.

— Rachel Wegner

Ogles: 'We came, we saw, we conquered'

Rep. Andy Ogles made his first appearance at Ludlow & Prime steakhouse at 8:45 p.m. to raucous applause after he was announced winner in the Republican primary for the 5th Congressional District.

The invite-only event, with free drinks, was full of campaign volunteers and large donors and had been buzzing since news the race was called reached the restaurant just before 8:30 p.m.

Standing in a crowd of supporters, Ogles’ first words were: “We came, we saw, we conquered.”

Beside his wife and three children, Ogles thanked God, his family and Tori Venable, the state director of Americans for Prosperity, an influential Koch brothers-funded political group that backed his campaign.

Challenger Courtney Johnston, a Nashville Metro Councilmember, had called him to concede minutes before. He accused Johnston of assassinating his character because she “can’t run on her record.”

“But the fifth Congressional district wasn’t buying any of that B.S.,” Ogles said.

He said Johnston ran a “spirited race," adding that her team “put in a good effort, but obviously we prevailed.”

As "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang began to play, he continued.

“The republic is at stake,” he said, “I won because of you. I’m here for you.”

— Evan Mealins

Johnston supporters express disappointment after Ogles wins

Jon Mabe, 57, from Nashville, knows the Courtney Johnston's family personally. That motivated him to come to support her at her watch party.

"I'm sad and I wish things had turned out differently,” he said of the results. "But she's still on the city council and I hope that she continues her work there.”

He praised her campaign, saying: “The reason we supported her is because she is doing it for the right reasons.”

Brenda Griffin, 76, from Nashville, was following the news on a TV screen at the watch party earlier in the evening.

“I think she is a natural campaigner and did a great job,” Griffin said.

Griffin criticized Johnston’s opponent Andy Ogles as not being approachable to constituents.

“He spent a lot of money from the taxpayers but there was little return," she said.

— Angela Gruber

Gloria Johnson: 'We're building a movement'

A group of about 40 to 50 supporters cheered as state Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, greeted colleague Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, with a warm embrace and hug after she won the Democratic primary for U.S Senate.

The pair make up two-thirds of the Tennessee Three and that fellowship was a theme for the their speeches Thursday evening in Memphis.

Both Pearson and Johnson echoed the sentiments that a new wave of politicians is coming into the fold in the Volunteer State, a “multicultural, multigenerational” group that represents the state’s socioeconomic diversity.

“We’re building a movement here in Tennessee,” Johnson said. "To fight for you and make life easier for all those who call Tennessee home.”

Supporters continued to cheer and intermittently broke into “Gloria, Gloria” chants as the she thanked them for their support. She championed campaign platforms for living wages, affordable health care and women’s reproductive rights.

Towards the end of her speech, Johnson took jabs at her GOP opponent in the November election: incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. Johnson called out Blackburn for consistently voting against the Affordable Care Act, supporting the repeal of Roe v. Wade and for petitioning against gun reform in Tennessee.

Johnson extended that criticism toward the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and JD Vance, before throwing her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

“With Kamala Harris at the the top of the ticket, we will win," Johnson said. "Let’s do this.”

— Neil Strebig, The Commercial Appeal

Johnston: 'The honor of my life'

Courtney Johnston delivered a concession speech shortly before 9 p.m.

"It's been the honor of my life," she said. "We have worked so hard, and we've left it all on the field, we have it everything we got. I believe in my message, and I will continue to believe in good, honest representation with a heart for public service to make our community better."

— Antonia Lopez

Watch party erupts as race called for Ogles

Cheers and claps sharply broke out at 8:25 p.m. in the back right corner of Ludlow & Prime steakhouse in Franklin, the site of Republican Rep. Andy Ogles' watch party. Supporters, who have been at the party for a little more than an hour, showed their phones to those seated next to them or standing at the bar.

The Associated Press called the race for Ogles shortly before, delivering the incumbent a win in a close race against his challenger, Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston.

Robert Swope, a former Nashville Metro Council member, picked up a microphone from where Ogles was expected to deliver a speech once he arrived. His speech should take place 10-15 minutes after a concession call is made.

“I am looking at the Secretary of State’s website,” Swope said, holding up his phone. He read the vote totals.

Guests yelled in support, one saying, “Yay, Andy Ogles!”

“I know the local news media hates this,” Swope said.

The crowd laughed, and the claps and cheers continued.

— Evan Mealins

Ogles wins in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, has held on to win the Republican nomination for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race for Ogles shortly before 8:30 p.m. CDT.

— Duane W. Gang

Traffic causing delays in Davidson County reporting

Davidson County Election Administrator Jeff Roberts said that heavy traffic leading to the election headquarters was causing delays as poll officials delivered results. Only some precincts had reported as of 8:15 p.m.

— Rachel Wegner

Johnston supporters look at a tighter race than expected

Jane and Phil Brown walked into the AC Hotel in Brentwood in matching “Courtney Johnston for Congress” shirts, receiving many compliments from those attending.

The lobby of the hotel continued to fill up as more votes came in, people anxiously awaiting Johnston’s appearance.

As voting results came through, people are hunched over their phones, checking results. Johnston supporters are thinking it may be a harder race than they thought.

“It’s gonna be close,” said Shirley Reynolds. “(Ogles) is getting a lot of votes from counties outside Davidson.”

— Antonia Lopez

Johnson greets supporters as early victory called

Murmurs among supporters and staff began swirling that Gloria Johnson won the Democratic primary for one of Tennessee's U.S. Senate races. One staffer swung her phone saying, “Didn’t you hear? They (Associated Press) called it."

It was about 7:50 p.m., by the time the woman of the hour, Johnson walked into Ghost River Brewing Co. in Downtown South Memphis.

Johnson greeted supporters at a table and her first announcement, “Let me get some water.”

— Neil Strebig, The Commercial Appeal

Ogles takes narrow early lead in Tennessee’s 5th

Freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles broke out with a narrow early lead in rural counties, while his challenger Courtney Johnston scored high in her home county Davidson’s early vote.

With just over 35% of results in as of 7:40 p.m., Ogles led Johnston in Wilson, Williamson, Marshall counties, and his home Maury County.

Johnston held a significant lead over Ogles in early votes reported in Davidson County, earning more than 6,000 votes while Ogles 3,800.

— Vivian Jones

Supporters gather in Brentwood for Johnston watch party

Chatter spread throughout the AC Hotel in Brentwood as people checked in for Courtney Johnston’s watch party and headed over to the hotel bar at 7:20 p.m. No music was playing, but around 40 people sat in front of the lobby’s televisions, with others waiting for the appetizers and drinks to be put out.

Guests were dressed in their Sunday best, some wearing American flag shirts, others in full suits. People waited expectantly, some hoping for a change in representation for their district.

“I am looking for a change in representative for the fifth district,” said Robert Reynolds, as he stood next to his wife. “We have not been properly represented.”

— Antonia Lopez

AP calls Senate Democratic primary for Johnson

As early results roll in from at least 15 counties, the Associated Press called the Democratic U.S. Senate primary for state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville.

AP's call came around 7:15 p.m., before votes had been tallied in the state's major metro areas.

Johnson was vying for the Democratic nomination in the Senate race against Memphis advocate Marquita Bradshaw, Lola Denise Brown and Civil Miller-Watkins.

— Melissa Brown

Ogles supporters gather in Franklin steakhouse

About three dozen supporters of incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, were gathered in Ludlow & Prime steakhouse in Franklin at 7 p.m., half an hour before the event’s official start.

The guests, including former Nashville Metro Councilmember Robert Swope — who said he has “always” supported Ogles — were well-dressed, most wearing suits and dresses. Ogles had not yet made an appearance.

An employee of the restaurant said the campaign rented out the left side of the restaurant, which includes the bar. The campaign is covering drinks for all guests.

— Evan Mealins

Blackburn clinches Republican nomination in US Senate race

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, has secured the Republican nomination in Thursday's Senate primary, easily beating out former Tennessee General Assembly policy aide Tres Wittum.

The Senate Republican primary was one of the earliest races called on Thursday.

Votes are still being tallied in the Democratic primary, where state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Memphis advocate Marquita Bradshaw are among the candidates vying for the nomination.

— Melissa Brown

Polls close

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Early returns will roll in first, followed by more results as precincts begin reporting statewide.

Canvassers engage 1 million statewide

A coalition of progressive organizations says it made more than a million attempts to encourage potential voters to go to the polls this election cycle.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, CivicTN, The Equity Alliance, Organize Tennessee and others made 6,250 phone calls, sent 658,573 texts and wrote 407,884 postcards to voters across Tennessee, according to a news release sent by TIRRC’s voter engagement arm, TIRRC Votes. TIRRC Votes also knocked on 11,520 doors.

“Our canvassers had thousands of conversations with voters at the doors and on the phones, and we know our community is ready to make their voices heard this election,” TIRRC Votes political director Pratik Dash said in the news release.

“Immigrant and refugee voters and their allies are a powerful voting bloc, and they are building a movement that shows up to vote for candidates that represent our communities — up and down the ballot, in every election."

— Evan Mealins

A ‘slow’ day for poll workers

Only two or three people were casting their votes at Christ Church off Old Hickory Boulevard just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Poll officer Ben Dobbs sat at the end of a row of mostly empty tables, save for a few poll workers. He’s he’s been working the polls for more than 12 years.

When asked about how things were going, his answer was simple:

“Slow. Really slow.”

He said just 84 voters has passed through the polling location so far that day.

— Rachel Wegner

Turnout 'very light' across Davidson County

Halfway through election day voting, turnout is "very light," Davidson County Administrator of Elections Jeff Roberts said by telephone.

The Davidson County Election Commission polled the top 35 precincts across the county.

"At 1 p.m. we had 3,392 ballots cast," Roberts said. "It's been very light."

— Kirsten Fiscus

Early voter turnout down statewide

If this primary seems to have low voter turnout, that’s because it does.

Early voting was down nearly 40% across the state when compared to 2020, according to data published by the Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office. Turnout is up about 26% from 2016.

In Davidson County, just over 40,000 people voted early, 46% lower than 2020. In Williamson County, 11% fewer people voted early than 2020.

Only seven counties — Bledsoe, Campbell, Clay, Gibson, Lauderdale, Lincoln and Overton — increased their early voting turnout this primary compared to 2020. When compared to 2016, nearly half of Tennessee’s counties increased their turnout.

Wilson County had 8,694 who voted early or by absentee ballot, according to the Wilson County Election Commission. So far election day has been a "light turnout," said Administrator of Elections Tammy Smith who estimates a 13,000-15,000 total turnout at the pace through late Thursday morning unless activity picks up.

— Kirsten Fiscus and Andy Humbles

District 5 candidate seeks to rally Democrats

Outside the early morning lines at Westmeade Elementary School in Nashville, Maryam Abolfalzi, the Democratic candidate in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, stood greeting voters.

Wearing her campaign slogan "This is Our Fight" on a bright blue baseball hat to ward off the impending summer sun, Abolfalzi was optimistic about the long election day ahead.

“The primaries are really important because we have to get Democrats out to vote,” she said. “We have to get those numbers showing up. It’s really important to show the power in our numbers — that we actually are here, we are voting, we do care.”

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, was elected in 2022 following a Republican-led redistricting plan that split Davidson County, a longtime Democratic stronghold, into three Republican-dominated congressional districts.

Ogles faces Metro Council member Courtney Johnston in the GOP primary today.

Abolfalzi hopes to flip the district back to blue in November. She is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

“People don’t think that a Democrat can win District 5 again, but I think we can,” she said. “I think inspiration and hope are really important. If I’m out here telling people that we can do this together—we need that in Tennessee. It’s been really depressive for quite a while.”

— Angele Latham

Few people waiting in one 5th District precinct

There’s only one word to describe the turnout so far — slow.

Metro Nashville Council member Erin Evans stood outside Ruby Major Elementary School, a cooling fan wrapped around her neck.

The school is in the 5th Congressional District, where there is a competitive Republican primary between incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, and Metro Council member Courtney Johnston. The area also is in state House District 60, an open seat in this year's election.

“It’s been so slow,” Evans said, holding a candidate sign for Tennessee House District 60 candidate Tyler Brasher.

Election officer Victor Van Cleave said 5,408 people are registered to vote at the school.

Only 27 people had checked in by 8:15 a.m., but 590 people voted early, Van Cleave said.

“That’s 10%, so not too bad,” he said. “We expected a line when we opened the door. There were only three people waiting this morning.”

— Kirsten Fiscus

Slow start to the primaries in some Nashville precincts

As the sun peeked out between cloud cover, and the humidity rose with each passing minute, you might not even know it’s an Election Day if it weren’t for the “vote here” signs outside McGavock Elementary School in Donelson.

The precinct was off to an unsurprising slow start. Poll workers kept themselves busy with books waiting for more voters.

Thirty minutes into polls open, only two voters had passed through. While checking one in, a poll worker expressed surprise when prompted to have the voter sign their name to the voter oath electronically in addition to the receipt paper copy.

“That’s new,” she said.

“Everything is new this time,” another worker replied.

— Kirsten Fiscus

What time do polls open?

Polls open at 7 a.m. CT and close at 7 p.m. CT.

Do I need to bring a photo ID to vote in Nashville, Tennessee?

Yes. Voters in Tennessee must bring a valid photo identification card, which can include a driver's license or photo ID issued by the state of Tennessee, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military photo ID or a Tennessee handgun carry permit that includes a photo.

College student IDs, city- or county-issued IDs, and out-of-state photo IDs are not accepted.

You do not need to bring your voter registration card to vote.

What to know: What time do polls open in Tennessee? Where's my precinct? What to know for the Aug. 1 election

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee election updates: Johnson wins Democratic Senate race, Ogles wins in the 5th