Trump-backed Republican congressman loses primary in Tennessee

President Donald Trump’s clout with Republican voters was put to the test in Tennessee Thursday, as voters headed to the polls for the state’s first primaries under a newly redrawn congressional map designed to bolster Republicans’ chances of expanding their thin majority in the U.S. House this fall.

Charlie Hatcher, the former state agricultural commissioner, rode support from prominent establishment Republicans to a victory over the controversial congressman backed by President Donald Trump.

Democrats picked state representative Justin Pearson, who gained national prominence three years ago when he was expelled from the Tennessee House for protesting in support of gun control measures.

Tennessee voters on Thursday settled on their congressional candidates for the November midterms, the first batch of politicians to run after the state’s Republican legislators redrew district maps this year.